Page 39 - Market Times October 2024

FEATURE • ALNWICK
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Amanda Bird has left a high-flying career to turn her hobby of photography into a business, selling her atmospheric, scenic photographs and her water marble artwork on Alnwick market
El Guo sells colourful jackets and other fashion items on the market. They are designed and made in South Korea
had not only saved the market but brought it back to its best. A history buff who loves re-enactments, Graeme has had a variety of jobs but turned his hobby into a business 11 years ago.
On Alnwick market which he has stood for four years he sells what he describes as generic leather ware including key rings and leather folders. But he can also turn his hand to making an array of historic items, from swords to a replica set of Roman armour.
Diane Mennim is much newer to market trading but is forging ahead with her unusual business welding metal including horseshoes, bicycle chains and metal bars, to create ornaments.
A molecular biologist who travelled Europe for her job, Diane took up welding when she began dating a farmer and he suggested she had a go at welding. Now her business has attracted the interest of a TV show which involves a mentor helping her develop it.
“This is my first year and it is going well,” she said.
Amanda Bird has also left a high-flying career as a client services manager to turn her hobby into a business. “I have always
loved photography,” said Amanda, who sells her scenic framed photographs and her water marble artwork. The latter is now officially an endangered art. “So I am keeping it going,” said Amanda, who launched her business on the market four months ago.
Fashion is also a popular line on Alnwick market. Yvonne Andrews has been selling high-end fashion on markets, mainly in North Yorkshire, for the past 47 years, and is now doing well on the revitalised Alnwick market.
And El Guo, 25, who was born in China, sells brighter, younger fashion designed and made in South Korea. “I went to university in Glasgow and decided I didn’t want a career in the traditional way. I wanted to be my own boss.”
Her colourful jackets sell like hot cakes on the market, according to Tracey. “I welcomed El because we need that variety and her young, colourful designs are bringing new people on to the market,” she added.
Tracey — and just about everyone in Alnwick — is hoping she gets a new lease from the estate. And, if so, the future for this ancient market is looking bright.
Yvonne Andrews has been a market trader selling high-end fashion mainly on markets in North Yorkshire for 47 years. A member of the NMTF for all that time, she now trades on Alnwick market
FACTS & FIGURES
l Market days: Thursday and Saturday. Tuesdays and Fridays were introduced this summer. The market closes after Christmas and reopens in April
l Market rent: £35 a day
l Alnwick’s claim to fame: Alnwick in
Northumberland is most famous for its castle, the home of the Dukes of Northumberland now immortalised as Hogwarts of Harry Potter fame. Other attractions include the Alnwick Garden, Lilidorei, a magical village, and the Barter Bookshop at the former Alnwick Railway Station