Market Place report

Healthwatch Bolton undertook research on the views of stall holders who participated in a series of neighbourhood market place events across Farnworth, Little Lever, Horwich and Rumworth in 2018. A total of 228 people attended the events, generating 195 comments about the value of the events and how they could be improved. 

Stall holders were generally very positive about the events and described them as interactive, engaging and useful opportunities to meet members of the public and other organisations. Many said the events helped them promote their services, raise awareness of local support, provide information and advice, develop contacts and build new professional networks. Networking was consistently identified as one of the main benefits across all locations. 

Participants reported finding information about community activities through a mixture of formal and informal channels, including social media, websites, community forums, GP surgeries, local shops, events and word of mouth. While the events were well received, many stall holders felt attendance from the general public could have been higher. Concerns were raised about limited footfall at some venues, a lack of space and insufficient promotion of the events within local communities. 

Healthwatch Bolton concluded that the events were successful in connecting community organisations and raising awareness of local services. Suggestions for future events included using larger and more central venues, improving publicity through social media, GP surgeries and local networks, increasing community attendance and holding similar events on a regular basis.