L-R: Mary Storrie, CEO and Phil, one of the driver volunteers
The future of a historic market in Nottingham is safe, thanks to a volunteer-led charity initiative which has given traders a lifeline during the health crisis.
Businesses from Bingham market who were at the point of closure continued trading throughout lockdown thanks to the support of Nottingham-based Rosie May Foundation.
Now the weekly Thursday market has returned as the UK eases out of lockdown and the traders have already started a programme of fundraising events to show their gratitude.
Market manager, Ophelia Gamble said Rosie the Little Pink Tuk Tuk was at the heart of the scheme which converted the market into a doorstep market within a matter of weeks.
“When lockdown kicked in back in March, we had to suspend the market based at Buttercross Market Square,” she said.
“Many of the traders are local businesses who were seriously concerned about losing a lot of income and were at the point of closure.
“If it wasn’t for the support of the Rosie May Foundation and the team of volunteers the future would look quite bleak for our community market traders.
“Our traders have been able to carry on selling and all of them have stayed in business. I can confidently say it’s saved jobs and retained businesses.”
Rosie the Little Pink Tuk Tuk is normally used at events to promote the charity’s international work. The ThinkPinkSriLanka programme trains single mums in Sri Lanka as tuk tuk drivers securing them an income to feed their families.
It has become well known on the streets of Bingham and the surrounding rural villages thanks to the volunteer-led community project which launched in March. It has made almost 1,500 deliveries including essentials from Bingham Market, medicines and treats such as birthday cakes and fish and chips.
Mary Storrie, CEO and co-founder from the Rosie May Foundation said: “Our values are all about supporting and strengthening communities. While we normally focus our efforts in Sri Lanka and Nepal, it was only right that when our local community was impacted by Covid-19, we did what we could to help.
“As a local resident, I am delighted that we have managed to help secure the future of our market. We adapted our delivery service to make sure traders wouldn’t lose staff or shut businesses.”
Last year traders who form Bingham’s weekly traditional market were named ‘High Street Heroes’ for their work in encouraging residents and visitors to shop in the town centre each week.
Buttercross Market Square includes dozens of friendly traders offer shoppers a brilliantly vibrant range of fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, fish and household essentials. It normally operates every Thursday from 7.30am, with a Farmers Market every third Saturday of the month.
Mary added: “Regular donations through our committed giving programmes – such as sponsorships – are a bloodline for the charity. We are asking people to donate a regular amount, each month, which will provide a stable income revenue and provide security in these uncertain times.”
To make a donation to the charity visit http://www.rosiemay.foundation.
Find out more about The Rosie May Foundation at https://www.rosie-may.com/.
