A NEW campaign has been launched promoting the district's markets.

 

Bradford Council Markets Service is using digital and social media to raise awareness of provision at its sites.

 

Officers have teamed-up with the University of Bradford's Digital Media Working Academy to deliver the initiative, which includes artwork and videos.

 

A 'Shop for Victory' Facebook campaign is using Second World War Ministry of Information-style images and slogans in a bid to attract new shoppers.

 

Stallholders at Keighley Market agree that the "unique service" offered should be promoted.

 

"The market offers something that people will not get elsewhere," said Margaret Burn, who runs a curtain stall.

 

She has been a stallholder for 40 years.

 

"There is a unique, friendly atmosphere and the businesses provide a personal service that you just don't find with the internet," she added.

 

"And there is an unrivalled range of things under the one roof."

 

Mohammed Amar, who runs a baby care stall, said: "People are using markets less and less so we really do need to put the message out there.

 

"You can get things in the market which you simply can't buy anywhere else."

 

The new videos use traders to tell people about the benefits of shopping at markets.

 

And the artwork is being carried on social media and at bradfordmarkets.com.

 

The venture was launched to coincide with the national Love your Local Market campaign.

 

Colin Wolstenholme, the council's markets manager, said: "We really want to highlight the value of our markets and shopping locally, whilst demonstrating the importance our markets play in the heart of communities."

 

Simon Couth, head of the Digital Media Working Academy, said he was delighted to be involved in the initiative.

 

"The Working Academy provides a unique opportunity for its undergraduates and recent graduates to gain the real industry experience of working on a properly-commissioned digital project," he added.

 

"During the commissioning and production process, there is the opportunity to hone technical skills against the brief set by the client.

 

"We love what the Bradford Markets team is trying to achieve in promoting the traders and what they offer.

 

"The aim is to attract new shoppers into the markets and we hope that this campaign will help reach some different audiences. Our students involved in the filming have certainly become regular shoppers!"