A MUM-OF-ONE who is bringing a market for parents to south Essex told how launching her own business has given her the chance to fit work around busy family life.

Emma Chesterton, 28, St Andrews Road, Shoeburyness has joined Mum2mum market as a franchisee and is now running her own Mum2mum markets.

Mum2mum market was started in 2011 by busy mum of two Cath Harrop. Having bought and sold on eBay and at car boot sales Cath realised there was a need for event which brought together local parents so they can sell to each other face to face.

Mum2mum market nearly new sales have been a haven for cash strapped parents in London and the South East and now they are coming to Southend and Canvey.

Emma joined the company after having her eight month old son, Michael.

She said: “I was looking for a new opportunity for work that I could do around being a full time mum.

“I saw the Mum2mum market on Dragons Den and I thought what an amazing idea.

"I thought that this would be a perfect opportunity for me so I contacted Cath and it sort of went from there really we went through all about having a franchise and its going really well."

Mum2mum market nearly new sales provide an opportunity for parents to make money selling on their outgrown baby clothes and equipment to other families.

All goods for sale must be in excellent condition and sellers keep 100 per cent of their proceeds on the day. New sellers are coached prior to the event with sellers’ tips and pricing guides to maximise their sales on the day.

Buyers can make serious savings at their local mum2mum market.

Large items like designer prams and large toys sell for about one third of the retail price whereas baby and children’s clothes start at just 50p.

Cath said: "I found eBay frustrating as a buyer and expensive as a seller and buying a pushchair that turned up filthy and broken was the final straw.

I was convinced there must be a better way and mum2mum market was born!"

Since then the business has grown considerably, and Cath now has a network of local mums running their own mum2mum markets across the UK.

Ms Chesterton said that since she became a mum she had realised how expensive it is to provide all the items a baby needs in the first few years.

She added: "I am so excited to be giving local parents the opportunity to buy great quality second hand goods or make some cash from their outgrown children’s stuff.

“I really hope this will introduce more mums, dads and even grandparents to the joy of buying and selling second hand at their local market.

It really is a win win for everyone and a fantastic community event.”