Markets, Shop Fronts & Street Trading

Market Stalls Operative x 3

£27,711 – £28,128 (pro rata for part-time)

Part Time – 7 & 14 hrs

Location: Borough-wide Markets – Every Weekend – Outdoors – Early Starts

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.

This role requires working every Saturday and Sunday. Please only apply if you can commit to weekend working on a permanent basis.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 will be part of a high-performing operational team responsible for setting up, managing and safely taking down the borough’s street markets.

You will work across Hackney’s markets and street trading sites to build, dismantle and store stalls, gazebos, tables, barriers and lighting systems. This is a physically demanding role that involves manual handling, working at pace, and operating safely in all weather conditions.

You will also be one of the most visible faces of the service, supporting traders, engaging with the public, and helping ensure markets operate safely, efficiently and professionally.

Shifts start early (from around 5am) and are delivered outdoors in all weather conditions.

What The Role Involves

• Setting up and taking down market stalls, gazebos, tables and lighting
• Loading and unloading equipment from storage containers and trailers
• Installing barriers, signage and cabling safely and correctly
• Keeping market areas clean, safe and hazard-free during and after trading

Supporting traders with access to stalls and resolving issues on site

Reporting damage, safety concerns or incidents to supervisors

Working as part of a close-knit team to deliver markets on time

Representing Hackney Council professionally to traders and the public

Working every Saturday and Sunday, with occasional weekday shifts where required

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.

Who We’re Looking For

You will be:

• Physically fit and able to carry out manual work for prolonged periods
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather
• Reliable, punctual and able to work early starts consistently
• A strong team player with a positive, can-do attitude
• Confident engaging with traders and members of the public
• Committed to health and safety and following clear procedures
  
  

This is a permanent operational role and is not suitable for short-term, casual or seasonal availability.

Why Join Us?

Our Markets, Shop Fronts & Street Trading Service Is

• Nationally recognised and internationally referenced
• A multi-award-winning service, recognised by LGC, APSE, NABMA and others
• A driver of inclusive economic growth and community pride
• Home to iconic markets including Ridley Road, Broadway and Chatsworth Road
• A service where staff are valued, supported and developed
  
  

You will be joining a service that plays a vital role in supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and animating Hackney’s public spaces every week.

Ready to Shape the Future?

If you want a role where your work is visible, valued and makes a real difference every day, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now at www.hackney.gov.uk/jobs-careers

For support with your application, contact: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk

Hackney Council is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

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.

Prior to applying for a vacancy for a secondment opportunity, please liaise with your line manager and inform them of your interest in applying for the role.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 15 February 2026 (22:59)

Interview date: 24 February 2026

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.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk