Wick market organisers keen to work with local business community

Organisers of Wick’s community market are keen to get local business representatives involved in running the event.

The monthly market in the town centre is operated by a subgroup of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council and the organiser is Allan Farquhar, the community council vice-chairman.

The next market date is this Saturday.

Mr Farquhar gave an update to fellow community councillors at their monthly meeting in the Assembly Rooms on Monday night.

“I have been asking a couple of times for folk to come forward to help us to run the subcommittee to look after the market," he said. "Nobody has come forward yet so we've been pretty much doing it ourselves with myself as lead.

“We've suggested Wick Development Trust should be a stakeholder, perhaps Caithness Chamber of Commerce, the local business community.

“These are the people that need to have a say in the market, and what products we can take in and make sure that it's not competing with the business owners themselves – it should complement them. That's quite difficult at times.

“We're beginning to see now that it does take people into the town. The town centre is definitely busier during the market days.

“It's really just to get folk to give a hand to have a say in how the market is run and where it goes.

“We're doing it every second weekend in the month now so that it doesn't coincide with any other market.”

Speaking later in the week, Mr Farquhar said: "It's important for the town and micro/small businesses to provide a cost-effective opportunity to get their products out to the public and re-establish Wick town centre as a market, not a 'park it'.

"The market also provides the opportunity for folk to stop for a blether and to give visitors to the town advice on local amenities.

"We have had responses from Caithness Chamber of Commerce and Wick Development Trust. However, we will need to formalise a committee to ensure the market grows and is run effectively to everyone's benefit.

"We're confident that, as it grows, it will attract more of those that pass through the town on the North Coast 500 route to stop off and spend their time and money on our heritage and produce."

Marquees are available from RBWCC, funded by the Beatrice offshore wind farm.

A draft of the terms and conditions can be provided.

Anyone wishing more information can contact secretary@wickcommunitycouncil.com or the Wick Community Market through its Facebook page.

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