North London Food & Culture

Want to be a stallholder on Queen’s Crescent Market?

It's one of London's oldest street markets. And if you have a new business idea they're offering a free course - and free market stall to put it all into action

Success story: Longrunning stallholder Jack
Success story: Long-running stallholder Jack. Photo: Tom Storr
Further registrations dates added this week. See below for details

Plenty of people have great ideas for a small business, but it’s never easy to take those ideas off the drawing board (or back of a fag packet) and into the real world.

Even those with plenty of experience face a whole load of obstacles which might see their plans for world (or at least north London) domination fail before they’ve been given a proper chance. Which is why we think a brand new initiative from Queen’s Crescent Market really matters.

New arrivals: Jackie and James in the antiques market
Arrivals: Jackie and James in the antiques market
Regular readers will know that we’re big supporters of the market, and after many lacklustre years with a few false starts, investment in its growth is finally underway.

As part of the positive new spirit, this month they’re offering a free, 2-week retail business and employment course, accredited by City & Guilds, (running from Mon 25th Nov – Fri 6th Dec). The training is then followed by a rent-free stall on the market, giving a proper leg-up to a new generation of local entrepreneurs.


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Want to start a streetfood business? Photo: Stephen Emms
How about starting a streetfood business? Photo: Stephen Emms

Not bad, right? And indeed everything from stock control to customer service, and health and safety is covered on the course, plus there will be a Dragon’s Den scenario at the end of the fortnight to compete for an investment to cover start-up costs.

Queen’s Crescent has the perfect history for this endeavour, being where the mighty Sainsbury’s business first started, and also the birthplace of the Patak’s sauce empire too.

The home of Sainsbury's: original tiling on Queen's Crescent
Sainsbury’s original tiling on Queen’s Crescent
A registration takes place this week, with the course running 18th-29th, so applicants will need to move fast to secure their place. Interested? Or do you know anyone who needs this sort of chance? Share these details with them now – it could be the start of something big. Candidates simply need to be Camden residents, 19 years old or over, currently unemployed and have decent literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.

And finally? Don’t forget the very festive Christmas Market on Saturday December 7th.

Call 020 7267 6635 ext. 225 or email market@qcca.org.uk to book a place on the registration day this Wednesday (13th Nov) & Friday (15th)
NEW DATES ADDED: Wednesday 20th and Friday 22nd November from 2.00 – 5.00pm at Queen’s Crescent Community Association.

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