• 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 next Journey to Market Programme, a practical business development initiative designed to help participants use the Causeway Speciality Market as a tool for growth.

    Building on the success of the first programme, this next cohort will give a new group of individuals the opportunity to develop their knowledge, confidence and market-readiness, while gaining experience in one of Northern Ireland’s most established artisan markets.

    The Causeway Speciality Market in Coleraine was named UK’s Best Small Outdoor Market 2024 and is now in its 20th year. Held in the heart of Coleraine town centre, it attracts strong visitor numbers throughout the year and regularly features up to 50 stalls.

    Whether you are starting out and want to test a new product or idea, or you are an established business looking to increase visibility, reach new customers, gather feedback or grow sales, the Journey to Market Programme will give you practical support to help you make the most of the opportunity.

    The programme is about more than learning how to trade at a market. It is designed to help participants understand how markets can be used as a wider business development platform, giving you the opportunity to test, learn, connect with customers and build towards sustainable growth.

    Taking part offers:

    • Increased exposure for your brand and access to new customers
    • A 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 brand awareness and customer loyalty
    • A supportive environment to develop your skills and confidence


    You’ll also benefit from:

    • One-to-one mentoring
    • Practical workshops covering key topics including 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
    • Two free trading pitches at the Causeway Speciality Market, giving you the opportunity to put your learning into practice
    • A small grant, available on successful completion of the programme, to help with market stall presentation and 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 have a product ready to sell at market by the end of January 2027.
    4. You are available to attend all workshops online and in-person as part of the Journey to Market Programme. 
    5. You are prepared to apply to trade at a minimum of six Causeway Speciality Market dates between April and the end of September 2027. You may apply for additional dates.
    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

    You do not need to be based in the Causeway Coast and Glens Council Area. 

  • Programme Timeline

    Application Timeline

    • Wed 7th Oct 2026: Applications Open
    • Wed 28th Oct 2026 at 9pm: Applications Close
    • 6th, 9th, 10th & 11th Nov 2026: Online interviews with shortlisted applicants
    • Week Commencing Mon 16th Nov 2026: Successful applicants notified
    • Fri 20th Nov 2026: Deadline for successful participants to accept their place
    • Mon 23rd Nov 2026: Programme Commences

    Participation in all following workshops/market dates is essential. 

    Workshop Dates

    • Thur 3rd Dec 2026, Time TBC: Online: Compliance Essentials
    • Thur 10th Dec 2026, Time TBC: Online: Pricing for Profit
    • Tue 12th Jan 2027, Time TBC: Online: Merchandising and Point of Sale
    • Tue 19th Jan 2027, 9.30am–1pm: Coleraine, In Person: Digital Skills and Marketing
    • Tue 16th Feb 2027, 9.30am–4.30pm: Coleraine, In Person: Selling Skills, Customer Care and Individual Sales Mentoring
    • Tue 2nd Mar 2027, 9.30am–1pm: Coleraine, In Person: Branding Masterclass

    Market Trading Dates

    • Sat 12th Dec 2026: Shadowing an experienced trader at the Causeway Speciality Market and introduction to market trading
    • Sat 13th Feb 2027: Market Trading Day 1
    • Sat 13th Mar 2027: Market Trading Day 2

    Mentoring

    Flexible to suit your own 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 9pm on Wed 28th October 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

  • 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.
  • Speciality Market Criteria*
  • I am aged 18 or over.*
  • You already have, or will have, a product that’s ready to sell at market by the end of January 2027*
  • Are you available to attend all scheduled workshops, the market shadowing session and both programme Market Trading Days listed in the Programme Timeline?*
  • If offered a space on the programme do you agree to actively participate in all elements of the Journey to Market Programme, including workshops, mentoring sessions, and evaluations, and to engage fully with the learning and development activities required?*
  • Do you intend to sell street food or hot drinks for consumption on site?*
  • Are you currently registered to trade at the Causeway Speciality Market or have you traded at the market in the last 24 months?*
  • Please select the Causeway Speciality Market dates you would be prepared to apply to trade at following completion of the programme. You must select a minimum of six dates from the options provided. You may select more than six.*

  • 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

  • Is your product currently ready to sell at a market?*
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  • Are you proposing selling a food/drink product*
  • Are you currently registered with your Local Environmental Health Office*
  • If offered a space on the Programme are you prepared to register with your local Environmental Health and aim towards achieving a 3 star rating or more?*

  • 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.

  • Do You Currently Hold Public Liability Insurance (£5million Public Liabiltiy Insurance Required)*
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  • If offered a space on the Programme are you prepared to obtain the level of public liability insurance required?*

  • 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?

  • Accessibility and Support Needs*

  • Important Information and Conditions

  • Data Retention Consent

  • Do you consent to your data being retained by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council so that you can be placed on a waiting list for this programme, or be contacted about future programmes and trading opportunities within the Causeway Speciality Market?*

  • Terms & Conditions

    Application Process

    • All applicants must complete and submit the official Journey to Market application form.
    • Applicants must select a minimum of six Causeway Speciality Market dates between April and the end of September 2027 that they would like to apply to trade at following completion of the programme.
    • Applicants may select more than six dates.
    • Selecting a date does not guarantee a trading space. Individual market applications remain subject to availability, suitability, category balance and Causeway Speciality Market trading requirements.
    • Shortlisted applicants will be required to take part in an online interview as part of the selection process.
    • Successful applicants must confirm acceptance of their place by the deadline provided.

    Programme Participation

    • Successful applicants must commit to full participation in the Journey to Market Programme.
    • Participants are expected to attend all scheduled workshops, mentoring sessions, diagnostic assessments, evaluations, market shadowing and Market Trading Days.

    Data Protection

    • Personal data collected as part of the Journey to Market Programme will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.

  • 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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