Celebrating International Women's Day

This week, we’re putting our inspirational women traders in the spotlight as we’re celebrating International Women’s Day (Friday 8 March). So, what better time to get to know them than right now?

International Women's Day is a celebration of empowerment, resilience, and supporting each other. Some traders are newer to the market than others, but they’ve all taken the plunge and manage their own successful businesses. Lots of them have seen plenty of change happening throughout the time they’ve been situated at our Indoor Market.

Barbara Winch, owner of Mr Dicks Whiskers for 6 years said: “The market is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Totally different to what I’ve ever done but it’s a wonderful community, incredibly supportive and the offer we’re able to give to our customers is amazing”.

There are 14 women who manage stalls at our Indoor Market:

• Mercy – Herts Hair & Beauty
• Suzanne – Look Logos
• Demi – Cake Magic
• Sam – All Occasions
• Vickie – Sweet Magic
• Pamela – Buttons & Bows
• Lyna – Fruit Fayre
• Iza – Leavened Bakery
• Caroline – Lynas Fabric
• Michele – IJE Domestic Spares and Repairs
• Temitope – Temis Touch
• Pratinpon - Siam
• Aree – Sena Silver Jewellery
• Nor - from Kombu

Vickie Tasker, Owner of Sweet Magic, trading over 4 years said: “I left a job of 22 years to run my own business and never looked back. Best decision made; and onwards and upwards”.

All of these women are inspirational people who constantly embrace change. They lead the way, trying out new entrepreneurial ways to keep up with our constantly changing high street, the way we shop and how they can go that little bit further to brighten our shopping trips to the town. In doing this, they’ve gone from selling goods, to running workshops and sharing their skills and knowledge too.

Councillor Richard Henry, Leader of the Council said: “It’s a real privilege to support International Women’s Day here in Stevenage. It’s fantastic to see traders come to the Indoor Market, launch their own brand, and watch them really flourish.

Let’s #InspireInclusion together and support International Women’s Day! #IWD