AN enterprising business duo from Crewe are on the hunt for the latest market trading talent.

Stacey Hulse and Hannah Starkey have been hosting Small Street Markets every month at Crewe Market Hall, as well as other venues around Cheshire.

The pair want to help small traders take their first steps to establishing a market business by offering them space at their regular pop-up events.

Already, Small Street Markets has been showcasing a varied selection of unique products, all sold by independent traders.

Both businesswomen started out running stalls when Crewe Market Hall reopened after a £3 million revamp in May of last year.

Stacey Hulse and Hannah Starkey have been hosting Small Street Markets every month at Crewe Market Hall.

Hannah ran Wattle and Home, a home and gift boutique, while Stacey still has her babywear stall, Mia's Baby Boutique, at the hall.

The duo decided to branch out and provide the platform for a host of smaller traders to enjoy a wider market reach.

As well as appearing in Crewe, Small Street Markets has taken a foothold at Blakemere Village in Sandiway, Glebe Farm near Congleton, Riverside Organic in Northwich and Cabbage Hall in Tarporley.

Recalling the motivation for their pop-up market venture, Stacey said: "Hannah and I met at Crewe Market Hall after we both got permanent stalls there. We had the idea for the pop-up markets at the hall and started doing a Farmer's Market on the second Saturday of the month.

"Then we began the pop-up markets on the third Sunday of the month.

"Small businesses come in and set up a table for a day. We get a variety of different traders and they have all got their regular customers who come along. It's a really nice day and it gives the small businesses exposure to get their products out there."

Some of the traders' products at Small Street Markets.

Among those trading with Small Street Markets are those selling bespoke woodwork products, hand crafts, candle and wax melts, jewellery as well as skin care products and children's clothing.

"There's just a huge variety of things being sold and it can be different every time," added Stacey, who says she and Hannah have formed their own company to run the pop-ups.

She says the aim is also to encourage footfall at Crewe Market Hall, which has gone from strength to strength on the back of its imaginative food offer and great live entertainment.

Of her own business, Stacey said: "It has been a hard slog at times but we have started to see things really pick up. The emergence of Omicron last December saw our sales nosedive after we'd had a really good November, but it is better now.

"The pop-up markets are helping to get people through the doors. There was a pop-up seed day (run the allotments association) at the hall and that was one of the best days in terms of attendance.

"When people are coming in to buy things they are in a different mindset to when they come into the hall to sit down and eat, so we tend to do better on those days."

Stacey recommends anyone considering establishing a market business to give their pop-ups a try.

"There is quite a big commitment you have to make to start a market stall, but with our pop-ups you don't have to pay rent and it is a great way to start your business off and see if there is a market for your products.

"We still love being in the Market Hall because it is a really nice atmosphere, but we are glad we have branched out."

Small Street Markets charges its traders between £30 and £35 depending on table size and that is used to offset the rental it has to pay the Market Hall's operators.

Small Street Markets are at Crewe Market Hall again this Sunday, April 17 from 10.30am to 4pm

If you would like to try out a table with your own business then email [email protected] or check out the web site here.