There are approximately 300 Country Markets across England, Wales and the Channel Islands, which make up a network of people devoted to selling homemade goods and local produce. This network has been keeping these markets open and active for over 90 years, as part of a great co-operative social enterprise. Being part of a nation-wide co-operative offers a support network to these local markets, and helps encourage and expand the small businesses that produce homemade, local goods to sell.
The markets across the UK are usually held weekly, in a variety of venues in various cities, towns and villages. The social enterprise also encourages and support Farmers’ Markets, town markets, as well as agricultural and specialist food shows.
The regular small businesses and individuals who produce and sell the local, homemade produce in these Country Markets are called the Producers, who also participate as Members in this co-operative. Although it is national, the network is organised into more local Co-operative Societies, which are all registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act of 2014.
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