Bristol’s a competitive city when it comes to being creative and the street food scene is no different.

Here’s the inside scoop on what we’re looking for.

HOW IT WORKS

We’re always on the look-out for brilliant street food businesses. To find out what we think it is that makes a great trader, please have a read of the information below and the buoy way.

If you think you’re ready to rumble then you can submit an expression of interest, here. Please note, we aren’t always able to respond to application that are incomplete or haven’t met the requirements outlined below.  

It’s a competitive market and spaces are often limited but if your business is a good fit, we’ll let you know as soon as an opportunity to get involved comes up. 

Successful applications will have access to private event enquiries and the opportunity to request as many or as few dates as you like at our markets (subject to availability).   


APPLICATION TIPS 

CONTENT IS KEY

Engage with the application and tell us what makes your food streets ahead of the others. We want to hear your story, your vision and all the little details you care about. One word answers and incomplete fields don’t cut the mustard.

PROVENANCE AND PACKAGING

We’re looking for street food that’s out of this world but doesn’t harm the planet. Local means: small scale suppliers, independent business, ethical sourcing, free-range, organic and reduced air miles. Local doesn’t mean your local supermarket. Please take time to outline the choices you make to ensure business meets this criteria. 

READY TO HIT THE STREETS

If your business isn’t ready to go, don’t apply just yet. Due to demand, we need to see that your application is complete and ready to trade . If you have any questions about getting started, we’d love to hear from you by email

THE REAL DEAL

We’re looking for traders with a strong, well-refined street food concept. That means a menu that’s been tried and tested, an active social media presence (you don’t need thousands of followers though) and a complete, professional set up. No garden gazebos, flimsy frontages or wonky menu boards – see below for the kit you need as standard. 

the kit you’ll need

As a requirement, all stalls trading from a maruqee must have the following

  • A professional standard marquee, with walls and 100kg of weights.
  • A counter-height frontage that spans the full width of your marquee.
  • Impermeable matting that covers the entire footprint beneath your stall.
  • Professional standard eye-height (or above) menu boards.
  • A 20-metre 16amp cable.

MAKE SURE TO VISIT THE MARKET FIRST

Be sure to come and see our markets before you apply. It’s really important you get a feel for the area, clientele, footfall and general vibe. Plus the traders are usually pretty happy to help answer any questions you might have ahead of getting started. 

NEW BUOY PROGRAMME

In 2024, we’ll be launching an incubator programme for traders wanting to get their street food journeys off to a bumper start. This’ll include a consultation process, access to fully booked trading days, a photography package, optional temporary use of our equipment (marquee, matting, frontage, etc) and social media launch campaign, to name a few.

If you want hear when the New Buoy Programme is up and running, send us an email here.


GENERAL INFO

Pitch fees vary across our events – with the Harbourside Market rate currently set at £78 on weekend days & £48 on weekdays.  

Electric is £6 per day (3kw max supply).

Harbourside Market is open four times a week: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday – more info here.

Got a question? Get in touch! 

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