A MONTHLY indoor market is set to return to Cowdenbeath this weekend following a successful pilot of the initiative in September.

The small business market, organised by My Cowdenbeath, will be held in the Masonic Hall between 1pm and 4pm on Saturday.

Space for around a dozen traders and small businesses has been guaranteed by the development group, with capacity nearly sold out for this weekend and subsequent markets on November 30 and December 14.

Visitors can expect a range of traders, including Studio 2 Original Design, Dandelion & Rose, Little Mitz Cakes, The Plant Stall, Kennoway Krafts, Nozzas Jewellery and many more from next weekend.

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My Cowdenbeath director, John Scott, said: "The market has been really popular so far – Cowdenbeath folk really like a bargain and there's some fantastic products and gifts available from our traders.

"We're trying to create a new opportunity to boost the local economy by bringing small businesses and local people together on a monthly basis. We understand times are tough for businesses and with the cost of living still affecting our community, we wanted to do something that helps in a practical way.

"The team at the Masonic Hall have been fantastic with us and we really appreciate their support to host these events."

The market received support from locals during a research exercise carried out by the group in 2023, with some hoping for a weekly outdoor market in the Green Square, but this turned out to be a much more difficult to arrange/ John explained: "Earlier in the year we had an application in with Fife Council to run an outdoor market in the town centre down at the Green Square, but it turned into an administrative nightmare!

"The process just wasn't straightforward at all with too much red tape and being shuffled from one department in the Council to another.

"After five months of trying we had to give up and admit defeat on that occasion. It's something we may revisit in the future, but if the Council are serious about encouraging economic development in areas like Cowdenbeath, they could start with making it a bit easier for local good causes to do simple things like organise a market."

If you are a small business, charity or community group interested in booking a stall at the remaining 2024 markets, you can book direct here.