Boost for Rotherham market

Julie Ellerby, owner of the Love and Best Wishes card stall, saw the opportunity to expand her business into Rotherham town centre.

Paul Woodcock, director of planning and regeneration at Rotherham Borough Council, said: “We know from our shopper’s surveys that people visiting the town centre enjoy the markets and we hope with this influx of new stalls and the exciting events programme we've got planned.

“We have another Garden Lovers' Fayre on May 21 and 22, which will continue to be a key draw for shoppers, offering something distinctive to other nearby shopping destinations.”

The card business, which also supplies a range of quality celebratory giftware, already operates successfully on Sheffield’s market.

Julie said: “I think it will be fantastic to trade in Rotherham town centre as well as Sheffield.

“I'm extremely pleased to say that during very difficult trading times, I'm in a position to expand my business and I'm excited that it can be in Rotherham, my home town.”

Love and Best Wishes joins the recently opened Angel's Nails, Sarah's Deli and AJC Framing.

Saief Akram, owner of clothing unit To Die for Couture, has also found business so successful that he has decided—after less than two years of trading—to expand to a double unit extending his range of ladies and teenage fashion.

Markets manager Robin Lambert said: “The take up for stalls in 2010 has been fantastic and we're keen to support our new traders as much as we possibly can to ensure that they are a success.”