"I’m fed up with working for other people and I’d really like some advice to find out if starting my own business could be the right thing for me…"

Market trading offers a low cost, low risk way of starting up your own business and establishing your customer base and is great for people who want to start or grow their own business, develop their skills or find a new career.  What's more, some councils offer discounts on market stall fees for up to the first six months of trading.

What do I need?

You will need to have your idea for your business plus lots of personal traits to help you turn your dream of running your own business into a reality, such as confidence, realism, stamina, perserverance, patience, motivation, reliability and flexibility.

So where do I start?

What you really need is a full package of advice, guidance, training and support to give you the foundations you need to establish, build and develop your business successfully... Business Link is an organisation set up by the government which provides all this and what's more it's free!

Business Link have a team of professional advisers who will offer you help, advice and support, whether it is assistance with your business idea or checking out its viability.  You will have access to your own business adviser who will offer you guidance and support on how to complete a business plan.  Businesslink advisers are experts in their field, the information and advice they give can mean the real difference between success and failure.  They also offer free business training workshops and the website is packed with information and tools.

Turn your dream of running your own business into a reality

Once you've decided to go ahead you just need to identify which market (or markets!) you're interested in and to contact your local council (or the organisation which runs the market you wish to join). They will be able to advise on how the market operates, what discounts are available and provide you with an application form.