Small-time entrepreneurs can get their first taste of buying and selling with the creation of a monthly upscale flea market at a church hall in Smith's.

The first market took place on Saturday with around a dozen stall holders selling items ranging from baskets to ceramics, clothing and jewellery.

Nichole McHardy had the idea for a collectors' market and has now made it a reality at the Centenary United Methodist Church next to the traffic light junction at the foot of Collectors Hill.

"I wanted to have a collectors' market that would be unlike the farmers' market by allowing people to sell different types of things, such as those that can be collected or maybe have been auctioned off," said Mrs. McHardy.

"People come out and collect things and we will have anything that people want to sell, from fine collectibles to house sale items and things that you would not get at other flea markets. I'm trying to create an upscale flea market."

Initially the market will be held indoors at the church hall, but Mrs. McHardy would like to see it eventually move outdoors, either partially or totally, as it becomes bigger and more popular.

She is a seller herself, specialising in her own home business "Stones and Pearls" which includes fresh water pearl jewellery.

Sellers can book a table and then set up before the doors are open to the public. For the first market there were 13 vendors who intended to sell their wares.

"It is for the little vendor who wants to come and showcase their items. As the interest grows I will look at having a larger venue. I'd like to have the market outdoors," said Mrs. McHardy.