Journey to Market

  • Journey to Market

    Application Form

  • Ready to take your business to the next stage?

    Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is inviting local business owners, producers, and creatives to join the brand-new Journey to Market Programme, a bespoke business development initiative designed to help you use the Causeway Speciality Market as a powerful tool for development and growth.  The Programme will run from January 2026 to the End of March 2026.

    If you're awarded a space on the programme you won’t just be learning about market trading; you’ll be stepping into a proven, award-winning marketplace. The Causeway Speciality Market in Coleraine isn’t just any market, it’s officially the UK’s Best Small Outdoor Market 2024.

    Now approaching its 20-year anniversary in 2026, it attracts large numbers of visitors each month and is one of the biggest regular outdoor artisan markets in Northern Ireland, with up to 50 stalls right in the heart of Coleraine town centre.

    Whether you are a start-up testing a new product or an existing business looking to increase brand visibility, build a new customer base, gather feedback, or boost sales, this programme will give you the knowledge, support, and confidence to make the most of the opportunity.

    Taking part offers:

    • Increased exposure for your brand and access to new customers
    • A supportive network of like-minded business owners
    • Opportunities to connect directly with customers and gain valuable feedback
    • The chance to test or launch new products in a proven market environment
    • A platform to build stronger brand awareness and customer loyalty
    • A supportive space to develop your skills and confidence

    You’ll also benefit from:

    • One-to-one mentoring
    • Tailored business action plans
    • Practical workshops covering essential topics such as legal compliance, pricing for profit, selling and merchandising, digital marketing, and branding
    • A supported route to showcasing your business at the award-winning Causeway Speciality Market
    • Access to two free Market Trading Pitches at the Causeway Speciality Market to kick start your journey and put learning into action
    • Access to a small grant on sucessful completion of the programme to assist with market stall dressing

  • Eligibility Criteria 

    1. You sell organic or speciality goods that are one or more of the following (must meet at least one):

    • grown, reared, or caught by you,
    • produced using at least one ingredient you have grown, reared, or caught,
    • made or created in significant part by you.

    2. You are aged 18 or over. 
    3. You already have, or will have, a product ready to sell at market by the end of March 2026. 
    4. You are available to attend at least 4 out of the 5 scheduled workshops as part of the Journey to Market Programme. 
    5.You are available to attend and trade at one of the April Markets (Sat 11th Apr or Sat 25th April). 
    6. If offered a place on the programme, you agree to actively participate in all elements, including workshops, mentoring sessions, and evaluations. 
    7. You do not intend to sell street food or hot drinks for on-site consumption. 
    8. You are not currently registered to trade at the Causeway Speciality Market OR are registered but have not traded in the last 24 months

  • Programme Timeline

    • Tue 11th Nov: Applications Open.
    • Tue 9th Dec at 9pm: Applications Close.
    • Week Commencing Mon 15th Dec: Successful participants notified. Unsuccessful applications will also be notified.
    • Mon 22nd Dec:  Deadline for successful participants to accept their place.
    • Mon 5th January: Programme Commences. 

     

    Workshop Dates:

    • Thur 22nd Jan, Time TBC: Online: Compliance Essentials 
    • Thur 29th Jan, Time TBC: Online: Pricing for Profit
    • Thur 5th Feb, 9.30am - 1pm: Coleraine, In Person: Selling Skills, Customer Care and Merchandising
    • Tue 24th Feb, 9.30am - 1pm: Coleraine, In Person: Digital Skills and Marketing
    • Tue 10th Mar, 9.30am - 1pm: Coleraine, In Person: Branding Masterclass

     

    Market Trading Dates

    • Sat 14th Feb: Shadowing experienced trader at market & introduction to trading (5 Hours)
    • Sat 14th March: Market Trading Day
    • Sat 11th April or Sat 25th April: Market Trading Day

     

    Mentoring

    Flexible to suit your schedule and your mentor’s diary.

     

    Please note: Dates and times are subject to change for reasons outside our control. If any changes are required, all participants will be notified in advance.

  • Ready to get started?

    Press Next to enter your contact details and then check eligibility. Complete the application form before 8pm on Tue 9th December 2025 and take the first step on your Journey to Market.  

    If you have any questions or require any assistance during the application process please contact us on 07723622008 or email us at info@seasonsoftheglens.co.uk

  • About You

  • As this programme is funded by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, applicants from within the borough will be prioritised, with applications from outside the area considered only where space allows.

  • Eligibility

    Please complete our eligibility quiz before proceeding

  • Applications are encouraged from individuals or collectives that pass the following eligibility quiz.

    If you do not pass the eligibility quiz we encourage you to get in touch.  

    We’re happy to chat through your individual situation and help you explore whether the programme could still be a good fit. 

  • Do you sell organic or speciality goods that are either:

    • grown, reared, or caught by you,
    • produced using at least one ingredient you have grown, reared, or caught,
    • or, made or created in significant part by you.

  • Based on your answers, you may not be eligible for participation.


    Please contact us on 07723622008 or email us at info@seasonsoftheglens.co.uk to discuss your application before proceeding.   

    We’re happy to chat through your individual situation and help you explore whether the programme could still be a good fit.

  • About your Business

  • Browse Files
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  • Based on your answer, you may not be eligible for participation.


    Please contact us on 07723622008 or email us at info@seasonsoftheglens.co.uk to discuss your application before proceeding.   

    We’re happy to chat through your individual situation and help you explore whether the programme could still be a good fit.

  • Browse Files
    Drag and drop files here
    Choose a file
    Cancelof

  • Based on your answer, you may not be eligible for participation.


    Please contact us on 07723622008 or email us at info@seasonsoftheglens.co.uk to discuss your application before proceeding.   

    We’re happy to chat through your individual situation and help you explore whether the programme could still be a good fit.

  • Online Presence (Optional)

    This section is optional. Please let us know if your business has any online presence, such as a website or social media accounts.

    If you do not have an online presence, simply leave this section blank.

  • Accessibility and Support Needs
    Do you have any disabilities, health conditions, or access needs that we should be aware of to help support your participation in the programme or market activities?

  • Important Information and Conditions

  • Data Retention Consent

  • Terms & Conditions

     
    Application Process

    • All applicants must complete the official Journey to Market application form.
    • Spaces on the programme are limited, submitting an application does not guarantee a place on the programme.


    Selection Process

    • Applicants from the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area will be prioritised.
    • Applications from outside the borough will be considered where space allows or where the applicant offers a unique product or business type that complements the market.
    • Shortlisting will be based on eligibility, suitability, and the overall benefit to the programme and market environment.
    • Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council reserves the right, at its absolute discretion, to refuse or withdraw participation from the programme or market at any stage.
    • Exceptions to the eligibility criteria may be considered at the discretion of the Council, where it is considered to be in the best interests of the programme or market.
    • In the event of any dispute regarding inclusion, eligibility, or any other matter relating to participation, the decision of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council shall be final.


    Programme Participation

    • Successful applicants must commit to attending a minimum of 4 out of 5 scheduled workshops, mentoring sessions, and evaluations as part of the programme.
    • Active participation in the mentoring process is required to ensure meaningful learning and development.
    • Participants are expected to engage fully with all programme activities and complete any agreed tasks or follow-up actions.
    • Attendance at an agreed number of sessions may be required to qualify for market participation or further benefits.

    Amendments to Eligibility

    • Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council reserves the right to amend eligibility criteria at its discretion, based on individual circumstances, provided that any concession granted does not adversely affect the overall delivery of the programme, training, or its intended outcomes, and that the business or product still fits within the remit of the Causeway Speciality Market.  These decisions will only be considered in rare cases, and applicants should not assume that exceptions will be granted.


    Market Participation

    • Participation in the Causeway Speciality Market as part of the programme is subject to approval, the submission of a completed market trading application form and available space.
    • All businesses must comply with the Causeway Speciality Market’s trading terms, health and safety regulations, and relevant legislation.
    • Before trading participants must hold appropriate insurance, certificates, and documentation relevant to their business (for example, EHO Registration or public liability insurance).


    Promotion and Publicity

    • Participants will be required to take part in promotional activities, including photography, social media, or media coverage related to the programme.
    • By participating, you consent to your business name and images being used for programme promotion and evaluation purposes.

    Withdrawal

    • The Council reserves the right to withdraw any participant who fails to comply with the programme requirements or market regulations.
    • Participants may withdraw from the programme by giving written notice, although re-entry at a later date cannot be guaranteed.


    Data Protection

    • Personal data collected as part of this programme will be handled in accordance with data protection legislation and used solely for the administration and evaluation of the Journey to Market Programme.

  • After You Apply

    Once you submit your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation email sent to the email used in the application. Please keep this as a record of your submission. If you do not receive the confirmation email within a few minutes, please check your junk or spam folder. If it has not arrived, your application may not have been received, and you should resubmit or contact us for assistance.

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