A new independent indoor market in Sheffield welcomed its first customers today with the promise of hosting almost 100 local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Red Brick Market Sheffield opened at 10am today on Clough Road opposite Bramall Lane. It aims to provide a diverse experience for Sheffield’s shoppers with up to 95 stalls selling a wide variety of goods.

Christopher Day, the founder of Red Brick Market, said: “This market gives the baby businesses an easier chance to grow without all the worries and hassles of a mega-long lease and stupid business rates.

“I think it’s going be a good offering in terms of independence because there doesn’t seem to be many options in Sheffield for small businesses.”

Lower rates for retail units are being offered to stall owners to make the market affordable for local enterprises, with the company pledging to promote alternative products to what is offered on the high street.

The marketplace is the third of its kind in the UK after successful launches in Liverpool in 2018 and Birmingham in 2022.

Steve, whose business, The Binley People, has been operating in Sheffield for the last 15 years, said: “This is brilliant for the community, there’s nowhere else in town you can do this. It’s nice to actually have shops where people can buy things that they can put their hands on, rather than getting a load of crap through the internet.”

The venue’s unprecedented size also makes the market a unique opportunity for sellers as well as buyers, having previously been a trampoline park.

Steven, the owner of the Retro Sheffield stall, said: “This is a bit of a departure from the norm for me, I usually just work in flea markets but when I heard about this I thought I’d give it a try.

“Independent retailers need space like this to sell their stuff without the enormous overheads of fixed shop rents.”

Red Brick Market Sheffield is open from 10am-6pm from Monday to Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sundays.