'Overwhelming' support as new Sunday market attracts up to 1,000 people
A total of 22 market traders set up stalls at Beccles Sunday Market as it was officially launched by town mayor Joe Athorn on May 31.
The event is organised by Toby Oddy - a son of market traders who wanted to bring some life back to the town on Sundays. He was also seeking work - and finding the going tough.
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Beccles Sunday Market - market organiser Toby Oddy (Image: Sarah Chambers)
The festival-style event focuses on independent traders, artisan food, street food, crafts, vintage sellers and local makers.
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Based at Sheepgate and Market Area, it will run weekly from 9am to 3pm and feature a changing line-up of stallholders each week.
Toby said the reaction to the event - which also included live music - was "overwhelming". There was a constant flow of people from 9am - including lots of new faces and visitors from further afield. He estimated up to 1,000 people turned up in the course of the day.
Beccles Sunday Market - Lynne Girling of Sunnyside Farm, Rickinghall (Image: Sarah Chambers)
"I'm overwhelmed by the support we have got from the town council - it has been phenomenal," he added.
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"I think we'll be able to manage it all year. There are going to be some mad weeks but I think we'll definitely be able to manage 15 to 20 stalls. This is designed so it will fit in with people's calendars."
The entrepreneur grew up in a market trader family and went on to create an international digital........
