A NATIONAL event celebrating market-based businesses is being held in York on Monday.

Run by the National Market Traders Federation, the event is being held at The Royal York Hotel and celebrates entrepreneurs who have launched a business on one of the nation’s 1,400 markets.

Dubbed a “Markets Master Class,” the event is part of the federation's market trader start-up scheme, First Pitch, which for 2013/14 has been part-funded by the RBS’s Inspiring Enterprise programme.

The scheme has supported 100 entrepreneurs since June 2013 to start-up and run a markets-based business, offering discounted pitch fees, mentoring from a retail expert and free membership.

Delegates will be coming to York from all over the country, including traders from markets in London, Birmingham and Newcastle.

There will be workshops for traders to refresh skills in customer service, marketing and social media.

Following a rigorous process of assessment by market trading experts, one entrepreneur will be awarded £2,000 for outstanding achievement over the past 12 months.