These UK winters feel like they are getting longer and tougher to cope with on a market stall. “How can I keep warm at my market stall?”, we hear you cry. Do not fear, although it’s difficult to stand outside for up to 9 hours at a time on a market stall, we’ve got plenty of ideas to keep you toasty!
How can I keep warm at my market stall?
Outdoor markets can feel even colder than you’d think when you’re standing still for hours and if you are not prepared it can be a truly horrendous experience.
When it’s 1 or 2 degrees, common sense would tell you to move around, keep walking and get a hot drink, but when you are trapped behind your market stall you can’t just walk away and get a hot drink or go inside to warm up for a while!
Here are a few tips for stallholders, from those willing to share their trade secrets.
Lets start at the feet and work up!
Floor Covering
Starting at the floor is the best place to start. If you do this it prevent the cold radiating through from the floor. These mats are a brilliant option because you can make it fit behind your stall and under your table to protect your stock. If you don’t want this, a free alternative is simply a piece of cardboard or a camping/yoga mat if you already have one at home. Something that gives you a barrier between you and the cold hard ground!
Thermal Insoles & Heated Insoles
These lambswool soles help you to self-regulate your body heat.
However, if you are not great at self-regulating and you need to heat your feet then try heated insoles like the ones below, or consider heated socks.
The reviews on these heated socks are great – worth a try to keep you warm, and these specifically have great reviews!
It’s always a good idea to wear walking boots or similar to a market, with a thick sole that stops the cold ground getting to you. Find something sturdy and comfortable so you’re happy being on your feet all day.
Hand warmers
Electronic hand warmers are amazing. Gloves obviously work but when you need that little extra pocket heat – these have up to 12 hours charge and are super reasonable price. Keep the lithium battery topped up and you should be fine all day. Simply hold them in your hands and you could avoid losing a finger or two to the frost!
There are plenty of alternatives on the market or click below to check these ones out.
Heated Gillet – the game changer
This could be exactly what you need to help you stay jolly even when face the worst weather – keeping your torso warm is a must. You need the sales at a market, and in order to be your best selling self, you need to be happy, well fed, calm and not too cold (or too hot!). On those cold days these fab gillets could be just what you need.
Food & Drink
Be prepared and take plenty to eat from home – or you might end up blowing all your profits on treats! There are two benefits to this – you don’t spend all your profits on food but also a well-fuelled body stays warm more easily.
Taking a thermal flask with a hot drink or soup in it is super important to help keep your internal temperature up throughout the day too. Also keeping your energy and blood sugar high throughout the day prevents those bodily crashes and temp crashes too!
Beating the cold is essential if you are to have a good market and enjoy it. It helps you to keep focused and on your best form all day.
We hope you have found these tips useful and if you have any more to add, please let us know we will happily share them. Only a few more months until summer is back!! Happy trading in the meantime.
Click here to view our market checklist, with useful lists to check everything you need to take to your next market!