Each urban market is well-designed, with an attention to detail. At its heart is a building, part old part new, part open part enclosed. At the heart of the market are open stalls. Local, budding entrepreneurs (those who live or attend a college locally) have preference when it comes to allocating space. Those that get space are the ones that know and love what they do. Those that keep their spaces are the ones that continue to know and love what they do!
Some stalls/small shops back onto a workshop. Each workshop is open so that visitors can see stuff being made – jewellery, shoes, bags, dresses, handmade cards. Buying something is as much about the experience of buying as it is the desire to own it.

There is no urban market template, but typically an urban market footprint might have a minimum of 100 market stalls, with a mix of 20 workshops/studios, and 60 small (8m²); medium and large shops (30m²). Urban markets are designed to expand and contract over the week/seasons to cater to demand.

A written outline sets out clearly the type of retailers who are invited to take part in an urban market.

Each market combines known, but not widespread, brands (Monmouth Coffee not Starbucks; Earth not Tescos); and specialist brands (Wasabi); with new, untried brands. Wherever appropriate, new untried brands will be given preference over known brands.

Those brands that accept the invitation should be prepared to offer something that makes their offer bespoke for the urban market – interior furnishings, layout, their style of interacting with visitors (shared tables rather than separate seating perhaps).

But not all will want to come. What unites those that do, is a sense of fun, adventure and curiosity. A desire to know what’s going on, what others are up to, and to find out what’s new, different and local.

Kids can spend their pocket money. Grandmothers can indulge their grandchildren. Young professionals can find the latest, one-off, must-have for their penthouse pad or Saturday night out.

An urban market is a place to shop, spend, eat, see and be seen. It’s a visual and mental treat for every visitor. No two visits are the same. Stalls change, new stock arrives. The stalls are the centrepiece. This is stuff you don’t see anywhere else. Stuff happens. 15 – 35? This is where you need to be.

The experience of buying a dress in an urban market vs the experience in the high street: