Our story
A market brought back by listening to Bathgate.
Bathgate Market began with memories of the Old Bathgate Market and a belief that a welcoming, low-cost place to trade could matter to the town again.
Where it really began
A university assignment became a real market.
In my final year studying business, I was asked to write a business plan for a social enterprise. I started researching what had happened to the Old Bathgate Market.
The more people I spoke to, the more stories and memories I heard— about the stalls, the people and just how much the Old Bathgate Market had meant to the town. It had been a massive part of life in Bathgate. That assignment became a conviction: don’t just write the plan; bring a market back to Bathgate.
Read Lucy’s Fellowship profile- 2023
The market opens
On 27 February, Unicorn Markets C.I.C. was formed. On Saturday 10 June, Bathgate Market and car boot sale opened at the old railway station car park as a five-week trial.
- Opening day
- Around 4,000 visitors were reported, giving Bathgate’s returning market a remarkable first Saturday.
- Family history
- Lucy remembers a genealogist joining the launch, connecting the new market day with Bathgate’s family stories and memories.
- Here to stay
- The successful pilot was extended and grew into a year-round weekly market, with free pitches already helping charities and community groups take part.
- Festive switch-on
- In December, Lucy created and ran the Christmas Street Market as part of Bathgate’s festive light switch-on. It has returned every year since.
- 2024
More ways to take part
A longer-term lease and planning permission gave the market a firmer base. Weekly Saturdays continued while the programme branched into specialist events and practical support.
- 5 May
- The first Equestrian Market created a dedicated day for riders, horse owners and specialist sellers.
- Summer
- A council-funded programme brought seven Saturdays of free fun—from planting and craft workshops to face painting, magic and a gaming van.
- Free pitch
- Local groups used the weekly community space to raise funds and meet people—including a Christian Aid stall in July.
- Free family fun
- Scavenger hunts became a recurring feature, and an October pumpkin patch let children choose a pumpkin free of charge.
- 2025
A platform for the community
The market kept lowering the barrier to trying something new, while taking on a bigger part in Bathgate’s town-centre occasions.
- New traders
- Six local businesswomen received sponsored pitches through West Lothian’s entrepreneurship programme, and several continued selling afterwards.
- Good causes
- Free community pitches continued to help local charities raise funds and speak directly with market visitors.
- 6 December
- The Christmas Street Market returned to The Steelyard and George Street for Bathgate’s festive switch-on.
- 2026
Local action, wider learning
Community activity widened into growing, reuse, repair and learning—all alongside the weekly market.
- 3 June
- An intergenerational hanging-basket workshop, delivered with The Brock and supported by Barchester’s Charitable Foundation, brought people together to learn and grow.
- Reuse
- Two Equestrian Markets collected donated tack and raised funds for the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust.
- Summer programme
- West Lothian Council backed seven Saturdays of free Get into Summer activity at the market for children aged 5–14.
- In development
- The funded Bathgate Repair Café pilot is being prepared to share skills, cut waste and help households save money.
- Recognition
- Founding Director Lucy Lawson was selected as a 2026 Churchill Fellow to research community-led market models in Germany and the USA.