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- Tasks: Set up and take down market stalls, ensuring everything runs smoothly for traders and visitors.
- Company: Join Hackney's award-winning team, known for its vibrant markets and community spirit.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, a supportive team environment, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of Hackney's iconic markets, supporting local businesses and engaging with the community.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required, just a positive attitude and willingness to work hard.
- Other info: Work outdoors every weekend, embracing the hustle and bustle of market life.
The predicted salary is between 17882 - 20842 £ per year.
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Part Time – 14 hours per week
Salary £29,703 pa (pro rata)
Be the engine behind Hackney’s legendary markets.
From Ridley Road to Broadway, Hackney’s markets are iconic. As a Market Stall Operative, you’ll be on the frontline — setting up stalls before the sun rises, ensuring everything runs safely and smoothly, and keeping the heart of Hackney beating strong.
We’re looking for hardworking, practical, customer-focused team players who love the buzz of public space and don’t mind early mornings or working in all weather. You’ll be lifting, building, packing down and talking to traders every day.
Whether you’re looking for a full-time challenge or a part-time role (14 hours), this is your chance to be part of one of the UK’s most celebrated market services — supporting local businesses, helping residents, and making Hackney a better place to live, shop and celebrate.
The Role
Hackney’s historic markets are where early mornings meet local pride. As a Market Stall Operative, you’ll be part of a hardworking, high-performing team that sets up the borough’s iconic markets before most people are even awake.
You’ll work across Hackney’s street trading sites to build, dismantle, and safely store stalls, gazebos, barriers, tables and lighting — ensuring everything is in place and running smoothly for our traders and visitors. You’ll handle heavy kit, work in all weathers, and be one of the most visible faces of our frontline team — helping traders access their stalls, resolving issues on the ground, and reporting safety concerns as they arise.
What the Role Involves
– Set up and take down stalls, gazebos, tables, and lighting systems
– Load and unload materials from storage containers and trailers
– Install barriers, signage and electrical cables safely and correctly
– Keep market areas clean, clear and hazard-free during and after trade
– Engage positively with traders and the public to support great customer service
– Work every Saturday and Sunday, with occasional weekday shifts as needed
– Use initiative and teamwork to get the job done — even under pressure
– Be proud to play a central role in Hackney’s market culture
– Willingness to work every weekend and outdoors in all weather
This is a physically demanding outdoor role with early starts and manual handling — but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You’ll be helping local businesses grow, keeping the streets lively and safe, and making Hackney’s markets happen.
Why Join Us?
Our Markets, Shop Fronts & Street Trading Service is:
– Nationally recognised and internationally referenced
– A multi-award-winning team with accolades from LGC, APSE, NABMA and more
– A driver of inclusive growth, sustainability and cultural celebration
– Home to Ridley Road, Broadway, Hoxton and the UK’s first Zero Plastic Markets
– A place where staff thrive, innovate and shape the future of public service delivery
Ready to Shape the Future?
If you want to make a visible impact every day, support vibrant communities, and help small businesses thrive — this is your moment
As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.
If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.
We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.
To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.
As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.
We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.
Closing date for applications: 05 August 2025 (22.59)
Interview and assessment date: Week Commencing 26 August 2025
We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.
Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.
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Market Stall Operatives employer: Hackney
Contact Detail:
Hackney Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Market Stall Operatives
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Hackney's markets and their unique characteristics. Understanding the local culture and the specific needs of traders can help you stand out during interviews, showing your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Demonstrate your physical fitness and ability to handle manual tasks. Since this role involves heavy lifting and working outdoors in various weather conditions, be prepared to discuss any relevant experience or activities that showcase your strength and resilience.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your customer service skills. As a Market Stall Operative, you'll be engaging with traders and the public regularly, so share examples of how you've successfully interacted with customers or resolved issues in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss teamwork and initiative. This role requires collaboration and quick thinking under pressure, so prepare examples that illustrate your ability to work well in a team and take the lead when necessary.
We think you need these skills to ace Market Stall Operatives
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of a Market Stall Operative. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the role.
Answer Competency Questions Thoughtfully: Prepare for the competency-based questions by reflecting on your past experiences. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, showcasing how you've demonstrated the skills needed for the job.
Show Your Passion for Community Engagement: Express your enthusiasm for working in public spaces and supporting local businesses. Share any previous experiences that demonstrate your customer service skills and ability to work in a team.
Be Authentic: Avoid using AI tools to craft your application. Instead, write in your own voice to convey your personality and genuine interest in the role. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares about the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hackney
✨Show Your Enthusiasm for the Role
Make sure to express your excitement about working in Hackney's markets. Talk about why you love the buzz of public spaces and how you enjoy engaging with the community.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since this role requires working closely with others, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in a team environment. Highlight any experiences where you’ve worked under pressure.
✨Prepare for Physical Demands
This job is physically demanding, so be ready to discuss your ability to handle manual tasks. You might want to mention any relevant experience with lifting or outdoor work.
✨Understand the Importance of Customer Service
As a Market Stall Operative, you'll be interacting with traders and the public. Be prepared to talk about your approach to customer service and how you would handle any issues that arise during market operations.
