New traders sought for two Dearne area markets
A RECRUITMENT campaign has been launched to find new traders for two regular markets in the Dearne - though there are no attempts to kick-start a third at present.
Barnsley Council is encouraging would-be traders to set up stalls at Wombwell and Hoyland for what it describes as “traditional” markets.
They are offering discounted rents for several weeks at Hoyland, which trades on Tuesday and Saturdays and Wombwell, which is open on Fridays.
However, at this stage they have no opportunities for Goldthorpe - one of the borough’s historic market locations.
That was transferred from its old site to the new Horse and Groom Square as part of a redevelopment scheme, but failed to succeed - with numbers of stallholders withering away.
Goldthorpe does have a future, however, with a new brand of seasonal markets aimed at bringing in different types of both traders and customers.
The first two have now taken place, as Spring markets in Goldthorpe and Wombwell, with a similar event at Hoyland on April 11.
They will be followed up with a calendar of other markets which are now booked in for the remainder of 2026.
All three locations will get a Christmas market, on November 28 in Wombwell, December 5 in Goldthorpe and December 12 in Hoyland.
Before then, summer festivals take place on August 1 in Wombwell, a week later in Goldthorpe and August 15 in Hoyland.
Harvest markets take place on October 17 at Hoyland and October 24 at Wombwell, with Goldthorpe getting a Halloween market on October 31.
Those dates will be bolstered by a rolling programme of specialist markets.
The programme of dates varies between market sites, but Goldthorpe is alone in having Community Open Days, rather than traditional sellers’ markets monthly between May and November
They have been planned to allow community grouse and charities to both promote their work and raise money for good causes. That reflects the strong culture of community work and volunteering which exists in that area.
Traders at Hoyland market will have the opportunity to move into the town square with pitches, rather than using the fixed stalls, with securing lugs for gazebos now installed.