Art, bakes, crocheted cacti, decor, truckles. Just a fraction of the things you might find at a Worker Bee Market, and having barely scratched the alphabet.

Founded in 2018 by Clare Simpson, Worker Bee hosts regular markets across the borough throughout the year. You may well have seen them crop up in Bramhall, Marple Bridge, Edgeley, Reddish, and more. We spoke to Clare to learn more about Worker Bee, which has quickly become a staple of the borough's local shopping scene.

"For me it's about trying to give a platform to talented makers", Clare said first and foremost. "Whether they make food, or whether they paint, or knit - whatever it is they do, it's about trying to give as many different people as possible a way to showcase their goods and make some money."

Crucially, however, those traders are almost always local. So much so, in fact, that the roster of traders varies from area to area; you'll mostly find Reddish traders in the Reddish Worker Bee Market, for instance. And the same principle applies in all events, from Edgeley to Bramhall.

The summer Worker Bee Market in Edgeley (Image - Worker Bee Markets)

"I make a big thing about having as many people from the local area as possible", Clare explained.

"I think that's good for customers - they're talking to people in their own community, dealing with them and buying from them.

"The main thing is getting to meet the person who has made the product - the pie, the bracelet, the chilli jam - whatever it is."

Not only does this emphasis on the local 'scene' foster a lovely atmosphere, but it has other, more practical advantages.

As Clare says: "Traders get to know what people can afford, which I also really like.

"As a customer, you'd be surprised at how inexpensive these handmade things are."

Worker Bee founder Clare, alongside former mayor Cllr David Wilson (Image - Worker Bee Markets)

Localness, then, is an integral part of the Worker Bee ethos. It is one of the things that distinguishes Clare - and her community of stallholders - to other, much bigger markets.

As Clare explains, larger markets can be more difficult for traders, as it usually means higher stall costs, greater competition, and a bigger waiting list.

Due to the more cosy, local nature of Worker Bee, this problem is not nearly as common with Clare's markets.

"Our stalls are cheaper for new traders, meaning they have a better chance", she said.

"I try to nurture new traders, and I'm always looking for more!"

It means that if you're looking to get started with trading, Worker Bee is a fantastic place to begin. Whether you'd like to purvey your handmade carpentry, your original artwork, or your handstitched clothing, getting your own stall is easier than you'd think.

The Worker Bee Market in Reddish, outside Broadstone Mill (Image - Worker Bee Markets)

And so if you fancy having a go at trading yourself, find more information HERE.

Alternatively, if you're a customer, and all this talk of homemade crafts has piqued your interest, you can find a list of upcoming markets HERE.

As of time of writing, the next market will take place in Reddish on 27 April.

Later in the calendar is a debut in Hazel Grove, and a one off summer fair in Cheadle Hulme for the Seashell Trust.

For more information on Worker Bee generally, click HERE.

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