Business guide
Selling at Blackpool markets
and storing your stall between events
Markets and events are one of the best ways to test a product, meet customers face to face and build a following. Here is how market trading works in Blackpool, what the council licenses, and how to keep your stall kit and stock organised.
Why markets work for small businesses
A market stall gives you instant feedback. You see which products people pick up, hear what they ask, and learn which prices make them hesitate. That is hard to get from an online shop alone.
Markets also build trust. People who have met you are more likely to follow you online, order again and recommend you. Many successful small brands started on a trestle table.
Start small. A few local fairs are a low-cost way to find out whether your product, prices and display work before you commit to a regular pitch or a permanent stall. Note the cost of each pitch against your takings, so you can compare events fairly.
Where to sell in and around Blackpool
Opportunities come in a few broad forms: permanent indoor markets with units or stalls, regular outdoor or themed markets, craft and makers' fairs, and one-off community or seasonal events.
In the town centre, Abingdon Street Market reopened after a council-funded refurbishment, with a food hall and retail units for independent traders. Blackpool Council has announced an operator to run it, so ask the market's operator directly about current opportunities, availability and terms.
Beyond that, look out for craft fairs, school and community events, and seasonal markets across the Fylde coast. Event listings, local social media groups and other traders are the best way to find out what is running and how to apply. Organisers' requirements vary, so always ask what they need from you.
Licences and permissions
Who you need permission from depends on where you sell.
- Organised markets and fairs: the organiser or operator gives you a pitch and sets the rules. Ask whether they need to see insurance or other documents.
- Streets and public land: Blackpool Council controls street trading. Its licensing pages explain that some streets are prohibited and others need consent, and that traders should not set up where they would cause an obstruction.
- Private land: the council's guidance says you need the landowner's permission and should check that planning has no objections.
- Pedlars: selling on foot from place to place is different, and needs a pedlar's certificate from the police.
Check the council's street trading and licensing pages, or contact its licensing team, before trading anywhere that is not an organised event.
Food, insurance and paperwork
If you sell food, the Food Standards Agency says you must register your food business with the local council, and it advises doing so at least 28 days before you start trading. Food safety training and labelling rules may apply too.
Many organisers ask for public liability insurance. If you make or sell products, product liability is worth considering, and you will want cover for stock and kit while it is in transit and at events. Our small business insurance guide explains the options.
Your takings are business income. Keep a simple record of sales and costs for each event, and register with HMRC when you need to.
Building a stall kit
A good kit makes setting up quick and selling easy. Keep it light, tough and packed in the same order every time.
- Folding table, tablecloth and a gazebo with weights for outdoor events.
- Risers, crates and baskets to give your display height.
- Clear price labels and a simple sign with your name.
- Card reader, float, notebook and a charged power bank.
- Bags, wrapping and business cards.
- A small toolkit: tape, clips, cable ties and scissors.
Think about how your stall looks from three metres away, where most shoppers decide whether to stop. One clear sign, a tidy display with some height and a few well-lit hero products usually work better than covering every inch of the table.
Storing market stock and kit
Market traders often run out of space at home long before they run out of customers. Gazebos, tables, display stands and boxes of stock take up a lot of room, and loading the car from an upstairs flat gets old quickly.
A ground-floor unit with a roller shutter lets you pack the car or van straight from the shelves. Our 150 sq ft roller-shutter unit at £65 a week suits a compact stall setup, and the 180 sq ft unit at £78 a week gives you room to prepare stock too. With 24-hour access, you can load up before an early start and drop everything back after a late finish.
- Zone your shelvesKeep event kit by the door and stock behind it, sorted by product.
- Pack event boxesPrepare a box per event the day before, ready to lift straight out.
- Check kit after each eventDry gazebos fully before storing and repair anything damaged straight away.
Dry goods, fabric, card and wooden display kit are all fine to store. Cooking and hot food are not allowed in our units, and bulk fuel or gas cylinders need our written agreement. See the unit ideas for market traders page for more ideas.
Your first market day
Your first event is as much about learning as selling. Go in with modest stock and an open mind.
- Arrive earlyGive yourself time to unload, set up and calm down before customers appear.
- Stand, do not sitStand beside your table, say hello and let people browse without pressure.
- Count what sellsTally each sale and note the questions people ask. It guides your next batch.
- Collect contactsOffer a card or a way to follow you online, so a browser can become a buyer later.
- Review that eveningNote the takings, costs and what you would change, while it is fresh.
Do not judge a market on one day. Weather, other events and the time of year all affect footfall. Try a few dates before deciding whether a market is worth your time.
Before you act on this
This is general information, not legal or licensing advice. Market operators, events and council rules change. Check with the organiser and Blackpool Council's licensing pages before you trade, and with the Food Standards Agency if you sell food.
Questions
Do I need a licence to sell at a craft fair?
At an organised fair, the organiser usually handles the pitch. Ask what they require, such as insurance. Trading on streets or public land is controlled by Blackpool Council.
Can I sell food at markets?
Yes, with the right steps. The Food Standards Agency says food businesses must register with their local council, ideally at least 28 days before trading.
Can I store my market stall in a Rock Factory unit?
Yes. Tables, gazebos, display kit and dry stock are fine. Roller-shutter units make loading easier. Cooking, hot food, and bulk fuel or gas cylinders without written agreement are not allowed.
How do I find out about markets in Blackpool?
Ask the operators of indoor markets like Abingdon Street Market directly, follow local event listings and community groups, and talk to other traders, who often know about upcoming events first.
Do I need a card reader for market stalls?
It is not required, but many shoppers expect to pay by card. A portable reader and a small cash float cover most situations. Check signal at the venue beforehand, as some indoor spots are patchy.
Sources and official guidance
- Street trading and pedlars (Blackpool Council)
- Business and trading licences (Blackpool Council)
- Operator for new Abingdon Street Market project announced (Blackpool Council)
- Abingdon Street Market retail area now open (Blackpool Council)
- Register a food business (Food Standards Agency)
Prices are subject to availability. Minimum rental term: one month, then one month’s notice to leave. Electricity usage is charged separately at the supplier rate, with no markup. Business use needs prior approval. Car storage is not permitted.
