How to organise a successful and safe street market
Organising a street market brings life and energy to the streets. Rows of stalls, local businesses presenting their products, music, attractions and a steady flow of visitors can turn a shopping street or village centre into a lively meeting place. It is a great way to promote a local area, but from an organisational point of view it also takes careful planning. Among all that bustle, you face several risks as the organiser. A sudden storm can blow over a row of stalls, or a visitor can trip over a power cable and suffer an injury. You need to be prepared to avoid financial problems.
What exactly is a street market?
A street market is a large-scale outdoor market with stalls where local retailers, associations and other participants offer their products to visitors. It is often combined with activities and entertainment, such as music, games or small attractions. Unlike a regular weekly market, a street market has a festive character. That attracts a varied crowd, but it also creates an open site where many different parties are active at the same time.
The biggest risks at a glance
As the organiser, you are responsible for safety on site. Visitors can get injured. If someone is hurt by a falling sign or trips over a loose mat, liability can quickly come back to you. Because a street market takes place outdoors, you also depend on the weather. Unexpected strong winds or heavy downpours can make it unsafe to continue, forcing you to cancel. In addition, you often work with a lot of hired equipment, such as stages, sound systems and generators. Those items can be damaged or stolen. Cash from stall hire or token sales can also create a theft risk.
Covering risks smartly with insurance
Fortunately, you do not have to carry these financial risks entirely yourself. With event insurance from No Risk, you can cover risks such as liability, accidents, cancellation and damage to materials properly.
Do not wait until the last moment. Event insurance must always be taken out before the street market actually starts, and the premium must be paid before the event begins. For extreme weather cover, a minimum application period of 14 days applies.
Important points for organisers
In addition to arranging the right insurance, there are a few practical matters you need to have firmly in place beforehand:
- The permit
Make sure the municipal permit is in place on time. No Risk does not cover damage caused by missing permits or permits that are withdrawn because you do not meet the requirements. - Clear agreements
Make clear agreements with suppliers and stallholders. In principle, they are responsible for their own stalls and goods, so make sure this is also confirmed in writing. - Safety plan
Walk the site in advance with the stall supplier and the power supplier. Safe cable ducts and properly anchored stalls significantly reduce the chance of claims.
Want to know more? Read more about our event insurance.
