The Best of Norfolk opens at Black Barn Farm near Norwich

The Best of Norfolk Marketplace is set to be the latest addition to the lineup of independent shops at Black Barn Farm in Salhouse. 

The shop, which will be permanently based at the back of the farm shop, will host short-term pop-ups for small businesses around the county to showcase their products.

The woman behind the new marketplace, Connie Ackers, 26, explained: "I just want to support and help small businesses grow.

The permanent marketplace will offer year-round pop-ups for small businesses (Image: Newsquest) "It has been a really hard year for all business owners but smaller companies have particularly struggled.

"Black Barn Farm is a great location for this as it is very popular and all the businesses that are here are thriving. 

"The cafe is amazing and draws people in from all over the county who end up shopping at the site too."

The market will officially launch on the evening of December 5 (Image: Newsquest) Connie runs her own small business called Bells and Whistles Design which sells clothing, accessories, gifts and drinkware and started event planning through this.

It was through her organising a summer fair at the Salhouse farm that Connie met the owner, Trevor Thain, who offered her the opportunity to manage nine permanent stalls at the site.

She said: "Small businesses can pop up for a day or a week, depending on availability and what they want to offer.

"This will run all year round, only closing in January for people to rest after the madness of Christmas.

The marketplace will be opening at Black Barn Farm (Image: Denise Bradley) "We are already fully booked for December and the Easter week is nearly at capacity too. 

"The response has been amazing and it is all very exciting."

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Connie also just finished running the Christmas Fair at Black Barn Farm, which saw 1,200 cars parked at the site each day from last Friday to Monday.

She added: "I want to get the word out that this is permanent. Other than a break in January, we will be here all year round."

The Best of Norfolk Marketplace will officially open at Black Barn Farm on Thursday and will be open for a launch party and late-night shopping event between 5pm and 9pm.