Stevenage Indoor Market is placing its female traders at the forefront in celebration of International Women's Day on Friday, March 8.

The market houses a diverse range of stalls managed by women who have successfully navigated the entrepreneurial waters to build their own businesses.

The Indoor Market presently has 14 women-managed stalls offering a wide array of goods and services. These are:

• Mercy – Herts Hair & Beauty

• Suzanne – Look Logos

• Demi – Cake Magic

• Sam – All Occasions

• Vickie – Sweet Magic

• Pamela – Buttons & Bows

• Lyna – Fruit Fayre

• Iza – Leavened Bakery

• Caroline – Lynas Fabric

• Michele – IJE Domestic Spares and Repairs

• Temitope – Temis Touch

• Pratinpon - Siam

• Aree – Sena Silver Jewellery

• Nor - from Kombu

Vickie Tasker, owner of Sweet Magic, which has been trading for more than four years, said: "I left a job of 22 years to run my own business and never looked back.

"Best decision made; and onwards and upwards."

These traders have proven incredibly resilient, quickly adapting to the rapidly shifting landscape of high street retail.

Many have also begun organising workshops and sharing their knowledge and skills.

Councillor Richard Henry, leader of the council said: "It’s a real privilege to support International Women’s Day here in Stevenage.

"It’s fantastic to see traders come to the Indoor Market, launch their own brand, and watch them really flourish."

International Women’s Day celebrates the empowerment and resilience of women, as well as the importance of supporting one another.

As important contributors to the vibrant ecosystem of the Indoor Market, these women provide the perfect embodiment of these values.

The management of Stevenage Indoor Market invites the community of Stevenage to join them in celebrating their hardworking, entrepreneurial women traders on this dedicated day.

The ethos of the event resonates with the broader theme of International Women's Day, supporting and inspiring inclusion and change.