A new initiative inviting people with a passion for business to take a market stall free of charge will be launched on 23 June to mark National Markets Fortnight (23 June – 8 July).

The initiative, Test the Market, which will see up to 12 new traders join existing stallholders on Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn and South End Car Park Hunstanton from 6 -12 August, is designed to encourage entrepreneurialism and to help to bring diversity to the market.

Test the Market is aimed both at would-be traders and shoppers – it is an invitation both to see if a business idea works and an invitation to shoppers to come along and rediscover what the market has to offer.

Cllr Alistair Beales, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “In recent years with the rise of internet shopping and low cost large retailers the nature of markets has changed. We already have some fantastic regular stalls but we would like to attract a greater variety of traders to the market to strengthen what’s on offer for shoppers. We are particularly interested in people who have antiques, collectables, paintings or hand-crafted goods as well as those people who have a brand new idea that they want to test out.”

As they are free of charge the 25-ft stalls provide an ideal low risk, opportunity for people with a business idea to test the market without making a long term or financial commitment.

To find out more about the initiative or to apply for one of the free pitches please contact the markets department on 01553 616222.

During the Test the Market period (6- 12 August) charges for existing stallholders will also be waived.

Pitches will be awarded at the council’s discretion on a first-come, first-served basis. Some restrictions apply. No takeaway food stalls will be permitted to occupy one of the free pitches.