A CHARITY which provides training for disabled and disadvantaged people has teamed up with Pendle Council to provide opportunities in market trading.

East Lancashire Into Employment (ELE), based at Queen Street Mill in Briercliffe, provides training and business start-up support to disabled people.

ELE’s clients are being offered use of fully equipped stalls in Nelson market, providing a chance to sell goods and services in a genuine retail environment.

Ian Varley, Pendle Council’s markets manager, said: “We are very pleased to be working with ELE and their clients in such a positive way and hope that their experiences in the market will encourage them and give them confidence to run their own businesses in the future.”

Brenda Kean, ELE’s centre manager, said: “We are very pleased with the speed in which the scheme has developed and, thanks to Pendle Council, now have a dedicated outlet for our clients to test their retailing skills. The stalls have been named The ELE Emporium and will have a stream of clients offering various products to sell.”