Artisan market giving platform to independent artists and makers coming to Hucknall in August

A brand new artisan market is coming to Hucknall next month.

The North Notts Artists, Makers and Fine Foods Market will be held at The John Godber Centre on Ogle Street on the second Sunday in August (14th) from 10am until 2pm.

This is the first of two taster markets to get the feel for the market's popularity in Hucknall. The second, a Christmas Market, will be held in December and provided they are successful it is set to become a monthly event in the town in 2023.

The market is the brainchild of Verity Betts, a qualified textile artist who moved to the North Nottinghamshire area near Mansfield from Kent in 2019.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, Ms Betts said: "Just before lockdown I joined the Ravenshead Drama Group. I knew I wanted to sell my artwork and I was sitting in rehearsals one day and glanced around the beautiful Ravenshead Village Hall and thought I reckon I could set up a good artisan market here.

Pictured: Work by Verity Betts. Photo courtesy of Verity Betts.

"I was very particular over who I wanted to invite to join me. It was important to me, I wanted to have skilled creatives that were one of two things: either making a living or at least making a part time living with an ambition to be a full time artist/maker, because I know how hard it is to have success; or artisans that were struggling because of lockdown with their mental health and had turned back to their artwork to give them some sort of therapy because that is exactly my story.

"So that's how I set up. My first two markets, Ravenshead and Teversal have been running since October last year. I'm a one man band and do everything myself and I'm really pleased and proud to say that they've been hugely successful.

"I have over 90 skilled artisans on my books at the moment and I wanted to expand my market to allow some more exposure for these artists.

"I'd been looking at several different areas, and I was advised that Hucknall has a real sort of buzz, is a bit cosmopolitan, full of all sorts of different people. I looked for some premises, found The John Godber Centre and when I went for the viewing, the manager, Kim, was extremely keen."

Each market is completely free to attend and features a number of artists and makers selling a variety of handmade items including pottery, paintings, and jewellery. There will also be artisan food and drink stalls, such as Batched Bakehouse bread, Beeston brownies, Two Shires cider and Hoggs Norton Liqueurs at the August market. As well as this, Major Brew and Fables of Edwinstowe will be serving food for people to enjoy in the bar whilst chatting to friends.

Batched Bakehouse (pictured) will be at the market in Hucknall. Photo courtesy of Verity Betts.

The Hucknall event has its full quota of artisans with 26 individuals already registered to sell their products.

Ms Betts added: "What we want to really ensure is that the public comes in and is happy with what they see and that the artists at the market feel confident that it's a buzzing place to be and that they will want to book again because they've enjoyed their time. Success is key to the market's survival.

"I get along superbly with all of the artists, I do handpick them, I make sure that I connect the right people together, that complement each other and that have got the same sort of level of not just skill but the desire to bring a good product to the visitors and buyers.

"We look forward welcoming you through the doors on Sunday 14 August."

For more information about the market coming to Hucknall, click here.