Birmingham’s monthly market will be showcasing a variety of products sold by sellers from across the UK and Instagram-based businesses.
Yasmin Choudhury, the market’s organiser, built the brand Muslim Instashop Expo, which started in 2019 and returned towards the end of 2021.
She said: “I fill in 60 stalls. It’s very artisan, there are clothes, abayas, hand crafted things, woodwork, chocolate, personalised items, jewellery, soaps, and creams.
“We have services that join us, tutors, mental health, and wellbeing services.
“It’s suitable for all sorts of businesses, anything you can think of.”
There are six remaining markets planned to take place this year, with the next upcoming market taking place on May 28th in Broadway Academy, Perry Barr.
Choudhury said: “Years back there were big exhibitions and events, but it was too expensive for stall holders.
“I was thinking there’s no professional platform for businesses, So I thought why not do something for small businesses.
“I thought If I don’t do it monthly then it won’t be good enough.
“It was one of the very first ones to do an Instagram, small business focus market, nobody else had done it.
“When there’s a platform with a variety of food and cuisines, why go elsewhere? Why not come to the market and enjoy with family? Everybody really enjoys it.”
With the success of the daytime markets, Choudhury decided to expand with a food-only evening market called the Halal Gastronomy evening.
The event also includes entertainment and activities such as, a 360-photo booth, space to watch indoor Disney films, face painting, and henna.
“Although we are focusing on showcasing Muslim enterprises, we certainly welcome non-Muslim stalls and shoppers,” said Choudhury.
“You can expect to find English stallholders as long as all is halal, vegan or vegetarian then we are more than happy to give them the opportunity.
“We want non-Muslims to come and enjoy too. Everyone is welcome.”
More than 2000 people registered to attend the past Gastronomy evening.
Click here for more news on the next upcoming Gastronomy evening in July.