Council encourages residents to support and celebrate their local markets
Buckinghamshire Council is encouraging residents to support and celebrate their local markets as part of Love Your Local Market 2026, a nationwide campaign highlighting the vital role markets play in supporting local businesses, producers and communities.
Taking place from Friday 15 May to Saturday 30 May, Love Your Local Market, shines a spotlight on markets as thriving community hubs that support independent traders, boost town centre footfall and showcase local talent.
Across Buckinghamshire, markets play a key role in keeping town centres vibrant, welcoming and economically resilient. They also provide a low-cost entry point to trade for aspiring entrepreneurs, providing an opportunity to test ideas, gain real-world trading experience and engage directly with customers in two of the county’s busiest town centres.
This month saw the launch of the 2026 season of The Sunday Market in High Wycombe (first Sunday in the month) and Aylesbury (second Sunday in the month) which brings an artisan offer to the centre of both towns from May through to December.
Over the rest of this month and during June, The Sunday Market will additionally be hosting the national ‘Young Traders Market’ initiative, featuring young traders aged 16-30 from the local area as they compete to be crowned as the winner and progress to the regional final at Greenwich Market. If successful there, they will progress to the national final in Stratford-upon-Avon. The initiative provides opportunities for the next generation of market traders to build confidence, develop skills and grow their businesses.
Buckinghamshire Council is currently working to evolve The Sunday Market further to reintroduce a traditional Farmers Market to both Aylesbury and High Wycombe to support the rural economy.
Deputy Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration, Julie Ward said:
“Our markets are at the heart of our communities, supporting local businesses, producers and town centres while bringing people together.
“Love Your Local Market is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the vital role markets play across Buckinghamshire and to encourage residents to shop local and support the businesses that help our towns thrive.
“Opening our Sunday Markets in May and June to the Young Traders Markets demonstrates our commitment to supporting young people to develop their ideas, gain confidence and connect directly with customers.
“By providing these opportunities, we’re helping the next generation of traders to build skills, grow their businesses and become part of our local economy. It also supports our ambition to continue evolving the Sunday Market, including plans to reintroduce traditional farmers’ markets in both Aylesbury and High Wycombe.”
To find out more about joining our markets, email: [email protected]
