Stone High Street will host a trial artisan market on Saturday 17 October from 10am to 3pm, organised by Staffordshire-based Castle Artisan Events in partnership with Stone Town Council.
The event will feature makers, crafters, artists and independent traders from across the local area. Stalls will sell handmade gifts, original artwork, jewellery, homewares and sweet treats, with street food also available.
Trial event to shape future
The October market is being organised as a trial. Castle Artisan Events and Stone Town Council will assess the response from shoppers, stallholders and existing town centre businesses. No further dates have been announced, but organisers say a positive response could lead to the market becoming a regular event.
About Castle Artisan Events
Castle Artisan Events is a family-run business that organises markets across Staffordshire and Shropshire. Its existing events include Castle Artisan Market in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Potteries Artisan Market in Hanley, Middleport Artisan Market, World of Wedgwood Artisan Market in Barlaston and Market Drayton Artisan Market.
The business received the High Street Impact Award at the 2024 Staffordshire Business Awards. Jake Burgess, who runs the events alongside his father Mike Davies, was named Young Business Person of the Year at the same awards.
Jake Burgess said: "We're really excited to be bringing Castle Artisan Events to Stone High Street in partnership with Stone Town Council. As a Staffordshire-based team, supporting local towns, local businesses and local creative talent is at the heart of everything we do, so this feels like a really positive opportunity. Our stallholders are makers, crafters, artists and creators from across the local area, and every stall represents a small business, a local family and a huge amount of passion and hard work."
He added that the team hoped the market would encourage visitors to explore Stone's existing shops, cafés and other businesses. "This first event is very much a trial, so we would love people to come along, show their support and help us make it a success. If the response is strong and the footfall is there, there may be an opportunity for the market to become part of Stone's regular town centre calendar in the future."
Councillor Jill Hood, chairman of Stone Town Council's Tourism and Town Promotion Sub-Committee, said: "We welcome the opportunity to work with Castle Artisan Events to bring this new, artisan market to Stone. We hope Stone residents and visitors to the town will support this event which, if successful, could lead to a long-term partnership for future events."
Visitors can follow Stone Artisan Market on Facebook for trader announcements and further information ahead of the event.