Community market backed by University

Cardiff’s very own community winter market is inviting shoppers to prepare for Christmas as part of a special day to promote small businesses.

Grangetown World Market – organised by Cardiff University’s Community Gateway project and Grangetown Community Action – takes place on Saturday 2 December. The date is also designated as Small Business Saturday, a UK grassroots campaign designed to encourage consumers around the UK to ‘shop local’ in their communities.

The market will be located at St Patrick’s RC Primary School car park, between Havelock Street and Lucknow Street, from 11:00 to 15:00. Christmas shoppers will be able to browse and buy independent clothes and crafts, alongside food & drink stalls and entertainment.

Keep an eye on the Grangetown World Market Twitter account @GtownWM to stay up to date with all the latest news about what’s happening.

Businesses confirmed so far include:

• Ameow Designs
• Anna Palamar Designs
• Shop Grangetown
• KA ArtiFacts
• Real Fudge
• Martin Avery Silversmith
• Your Indulgence
• Divine Beauty
• Veg Food Studio
• Ty Paned
• Pettigrew Bakery
• Whoops A Daisy Daze
• Precious As A Pearl
• Eistedfodd 2018
• Coffee2Go
• Ffwrnes Pizza
• Cavalier Cwtch
• Killins Kitchen

Self-taught jewellery maker Dr Amy Yau, of Ameow Designs, who is also a lecturer in marketing at Cardiff Business School, said: "The market supports local entrepreneurs and businesses who would like to test-trial their products and spread the awareness of their products and services, so perfect for small local businesses.

"It’s very important in the world of fast fashion, faster delivery and cheap, mass-produced goods to actually slow down, be more mindful and purchase gifts with more meaning and that are more sustainable in terms of design, and not just focus on being on ‘trend’..."

Rosie Cripps, of Community Gateway, said: "Local and independent businesses employ more people per square metre than large chain stores and they stick around when the going gets tough - by supporting local producers we’re supporting the wider community.

"We’re really pleased to have launched new entrepreneurs at our first market and we’re delighted that 75% of visitors said they would shop locally as a result of Grangetown World Market..."

Steve Duffy, of Grangetown Community Action, said: "We had a fantastic response to our last market - it's looking to offer something boutique and distinctive for Grangetown.

"In the long term we hope this will boost the local business district. This is all about encouraging people to shop locally - and to see there are some really creative independents right on their doorstep."

It follows the success of the first Grangetown World Market in July, also organised by Community Gateway and Grangetown Community Action. The first market featured more than 20 local volunteers, 11 student volunteers and three Cardiff University staff volunteers.

The initiative is supported by Community Gateway, which is working hand-in-hand with residents in Grangetown to make the area an even better place to live. Community Gateway is one of Cardiff University’s flagship engagement projects, otherwise known as the Transforming Communities programme, which works with communities in Cardiff, Wales and beyond in areas including health, education and wellbeing.