Naturally North Coast & Glens

Naturally North Coast and Glens has been in operation since 2012, and was formerly known as 'Ballycastle Town Market'. ​ As a not for profit social enterprise we deliver an independent community managed and owned artisan market in the Causeway Coast and Glens Area and wider. Offering a unique platform for local people to start up, develop businesses and become self sufficient. We work with both members and casual traders. ​ We strive to create a welcoming, wholesome atmosphere where traders and consumers can meet for mutual benefit, emphasising local, farm produce and handcrafted items and skills, with educational and social opportunities for both our trading community and the local community we work in. ​ Mission Statement Our mission is to provide artisan producers with the services, support and opportunities to develop their businesses, contribute to local economic, tourism and community development create welcoming, wholesome, educational, cultural and inclusive events that will positively improve the quality of life in our local communities through partnership working. OBJECTIVES provide a manageable outlet that nurtures and supports local businesses within the set criteria promote and encourage local producers, crafters and artists with a strong ‘shop local’ ethos. encourage rural diversification by offering a ‘route to market’ for local produce and help boost the local economy through creating opportunities for self employment engage with local schools, colleges and other bodies in order to promote entrepreneurship with an aim to generate employment and self-employment opportunities for the poor and disadvantaged section of the community. support NI’s tourist industry by creating events promoting the local area and the quality of local artisan produce. enhance the sense of community by providing a place for people to meet in a relaxed, casual environment thus fostering and promoting community spirit, cohesion and encouraging civic pride. encourage the goodwill and involvement of the wider community, by providing inclusive, educational, welcoming, and wholesome events to the local communities engage with and support local groups which work with marginalised people and provide such groups with a platform to connect with the wider community provide tourists with authentic, educational and quality experiences e.g. by creating opportunities for them to interact with the local community in an unstructured, spontaneous manner. ​