A FREE market, aimed at promoting self-employment and helping a struggling economy post-lockdown, is set to be launched in Bradford

Open Trade Network is aiming to encourage self-employment and entrepreneurship by creating a free market with no fees for traders or visitors.

With the help of Bradford Central Mosque, which has given use of its car park, the first Bradford Free Market will take place on Saturday, September 11, from 11am to 4pm.

Rahima Brandt and Jamal Sealey instigated the first of such free markets in Norwich whilst working together in a Ramadan soup kitchen in May 2020.

They said: “We can’t just be rescuers, we need to do something that helps people look after themselves by enabling them.

“Islam propagates self-employment and under the Islamic rules of the marketplace there should be no fees for traders.

"With the local economy struggling to reopen post-lockdown we wanted to do something to support local community businesses.”

A small group of volunteers in Bradford, led by Bashir Lund, witnessed the success of the markets in Norwich, and wanted to build on this in their community.

Bradford Central Mosque heard about the idea and offered the use of its car park for the first market.

The Bradford Free Market aims to build community by empowering financial regeneration through cottage industry.

Bashir said: “By providing a free space to sell from, we hope to inspire, encourage and empower people to become creative producers and simultaneously provide people with good products at affordable prices.”

Another volunteer organiser, Shahida Iqbal, said: “Our desire is to encourage local people.

“For people who have been selling online, this is an opportunity to promote themselves and get established in Bradford.

“What they make is what they take away. We want people making local and buying local.”

She said, so far, more than 20 stall holders have registered for the market and there is space to accommodate 40.

Eventually, the plan is to move the market to a bigger city centre location so that stalls can be provided for a greater number of traders.

Shahida added the market will not be a one off, as organisers hope to hold the Bradford Free Market monthly and obtain a regular licence from Bradford Council.

For stall applications or more information contact bradfordfreemarket@gmail.com