West Lothian woman behind beloved community market awarded prestigious fellowship

Bathgate Market and Car Boot Sale organiser Lucy Lawson won the 2026 Churchill Fellowship, allowing her to launch her local work abroad.

The founder of a beloved West Lothian market has been awarded a prestigious fellowship to work on the international stage.

Bathgate Market and Car Boot Sale organiser Lucy Lawson won the 2026 Churchill Fellowship, allowing her to launch her local work abroad.

Lucy, who founded the community-focused Unicorn Markets CIC, which runs the market, will travel across the UK, Germany and the Netherlands to study how successful markets support small traders, regenerate town centres and benefit local communities.

She plans to bring those ideas back to West Lothian and share her findings with markets across Scotland.

The 26-year-old launched the market after graduating from university, giving a platform to many local microbusinesses and bringing life back into the small town.

Lucy said: “There is a lot to learn from the models of more established markets, including how they best benefit their local communities and overcome challenges. I intend to learn from them and apply my knowledge to the markets I am already running.”

The Bathgate market grew from a project in Lucy’s university years to a full-scale community staple in the town. She began with a five-week trial and has extended the lease multiple times since.

Lucy loves watching businesses flourish at the market, which she called her “absolute baby”.

She continued: “I’ve seen people make their ideas into reality. A baker started with us and now they have a full scale bread operation.

“Some people say they come and it’s the first person they spoke to all week. That’s what makes it so special to me is seeing how special it is for other people.

“We had an Easter bunny come the other week. A mum said she couldn’t afford to have taken her daughter to see the Easter bunny elsewhere. It’s just nice wee things.

“Rain or shine, we’re there every Saturday. It’s good to be there for people.”

The Bathgate Market and Car Boot Sale takes place every Saturday at 9am at the Old Station Car Park, Bathgate. You can find more information on their Facebook page.

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