Street stalls are the frontline of our campaigning. For the European Movement UK, they are more than just a table with leaflets; they are a hub for local visibility, a space for dialogue, and a powerful tool for recruitment. Whether you are a seasoned campaigner or a first-time volunteer, a well-organised stall creates a professional image that builds trust and authority within your community.
Why Street Stalls?
The primary goal is presence. In an age of digital echo chambers, standing in a high street allows us to reach people who might never see our content online.
Stalls serve three main functions
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- Persuasion
Changing hearts and minds through respectful, one-to-one dialogue.
- Data collection
Signing up new members and gathering signatures to demonstrate local strength.
- Visibility
Showing that the European Movement is active, local, and growing.
The pros and cons
Pros
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High visibility and the ability to reach a diverse cross-section of the public. It provides an excellent training ground for new activists to build confidence in messaging.
Cons
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They are weather-dependent and can be resource-intensive in terms of volunteer hours. You may occasionally face confrontational individuals, requiring a thick skin and calm approach.
Staying on Message
For a national movement to be effective, campaigns must speak with a unified voice. Staying "on message" ensures that we don't confuse the public or provide ammunition to opponents.
Use national content
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Always use the latest talking points provided by the European Movement UK HQ. These are professionally framed to appeal to "persuadable" audiences.
Localise, but stay on topic
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Your messaging will be most effective when you take the national messaging and then talk about local impacts (e.g., a local business struggling with exports), but you should ensure the core solution remains consistent: rebuilding our relationship with Europe.
Avoid unrelated content
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While we all have a diverse range of views and opinions, to be most effective the street stall messaging needs to be clear. Steer clear of unrelated political debates.
What to Use
The materials used, combined with the messaging from your activists, will determine how effective your street stall is.
What to use
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- Official branding
Only use high-resolution versions of the European Movement logo, and use it according to the brand guidelines.
- Current leaflets
Use up-to-date literature from the Grassroots Hub.
- Data capture tools
Clear, clean clipboards and official petition sheets in addition to the Grassroots App.
What to avoid
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- Outdated Materials
Leaflets from defunct campaigns, or with outdated messaging, make the movement look stagnant.
- Poorly made signs
Stick to printed boards. You can make these locally, incorporating your own logos, but a printed sign will look a lot more professional than a handwritten one.
- Clutter
Don't overwhelm the table with 20 different types of flyers for the European Movement and everything else. Choose a few key items - the main campaign leaflet, membership leaflets, and anything else that is relevant locally.
Engaging the Public
The ask is the most important part of the interaction with people.
The opening
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Avoid "Can I have a minute of your time?" (the answer is usually "no"). Try an open question: "How do you feel about our relationship with Europe lately?"
Active listening
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Let the member of the public speak. Validate their concerns before pivoting to the campaign's goals.
The close
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Never let a supporter walk away without doing something. Ask them to sign the petition, take a leaflet, or follow your local group on social media.
Try a few things and see what works best. Don't be afraid to try different things, rather than repeating the same lines whether they work or not.
Public Liability Insurance
What you need to know
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Most councils and event organisers will require proof of Public Liability Insurance (PLI) before you can set up, even in areas which don't require permission to operate.
The European Movement UK provides PLI for registered local groups. Always download the latest version from the Grassroots Hub before you start campaigning, and keep it with you either printed or on a device. If a council officer or warden asks for it, you will need to show it or you may be asked to move on.
Engaging your Volunteers
A street stall is only as good as the team running it, and there is not a "one size fits all" way of working as everybody has different experience.
For new volunteers
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Pair them with an "expert." Use a "buddy system" where the new person observes for the first 30 minutes before trying a simple opening line. Give them a specific, easy task like handing out stickers.
For experienced campaigners
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Use them as "roamers" to engage people further away from the stall. They can also act as mentors, providing feedback to newer members in a supportive way.
Always start with a 5-minute huddle. Confirm the ask of the day and ensure everyone knows where everything is, and how to access the Grassroots App.
Things to Remember
Know Your Key Messages
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Be prepared with three clear, concise points about why closer ties with Europe benefit your local area. Consistency ensures a professional campaign voice.
Use EMUK Materials
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We produce a range of materials for groups, which are available at no charge. You can also use local materials to localise your campaigns, but make sure they stay on message.
Smile and maintain eye contact
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Your body language is your first tool of persuasion. A friendly stance diffuses potential hostility before a word is spoken.
A ring of volunteers
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Ensure someone is standing in front of or beside the stall. Sitting behind a table creates a physical barrier that discourages people from approaching.
Prioritise data capture
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A conversation is a win, but a name and email address on a petition or sign-up form is a permanent asset for future campaigning. There is a sign-up form on the app, and QR codes for people who are in a hurry.
Have a cheat sheet
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Keep a sheet with facts and talking points to hand. There are some resources on the Grassroots Hub but you may wish to localise this with information about your local area.
Check permissions
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Many local authorities are bringing in restrictions on where and when campaigning and other similar activities can take place. Make sure that the location you plant to campaign does not break any local restrictions or byelaws.
Take photos for Social Media
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A photo of a busy stall shows momentum. It encourages followers online to join your next local event. Make sure that you send them to the Field Team, either by e-mail or via the WhatsApp group.
Check the weather
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Make sure you won't be out campaigning if there is bad weather, as you will find it difficult to engage with people. If the weather is windy then make sure you bring weights so that your leaflets and other materials don't blow away.
Bring the PLI Certificate
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Ensure a physical copy is visible or easily accessible, and also know how to access it via the Grassroots Hub.
Things to Avoid
Don't block the pavement
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Obstructing pedestrians creates resentment. Keep the area around your stall clear for wheelchairs and prams.
Avoid long arguments
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If someone is purely there to shout, politely end the conversation. Your time is better spent talking to the undecided.
Avoid long conversations with supporters
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If somebody is supportive of our campaigns then encourage them to sign up, but don't focus your time on them. They are already on our side. Get their data, and move on. We need to be focusing on those who don't yet support us, but who are persuadable.
Don't use complicated language
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Don't use complex phrases, lots of acronyms, or hard to understand explanations. Keep it simple, and stick to real-world impacts like food prices and travel.
Avoid cluttering the table
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Don't put every single piece of literature out. Keep small, neat, piles of the most relevant leaflets to look intentional.
Don't be aggressive
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Never pounce on people or follow them if they decline to talk. A "No, thank you" should be met with a "Thank you for your time".
Avoid attacking any particular party
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As a cross-party movement, attacking specific parties can alienate supporters. Focus on the European issue itself. We will need supporters from all parties to achieve our aims.
Don't forget the Call to Action
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A great chat that ends without an "ask" is a missed opportunity. Always ask for a signature or a follow.
Avoid huddling with Volunteers
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Don't spend the time chatting with each other. Stay outward-facing and ready to engage the public.
Don't Leave a Mess Behind
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Take every scrap of rubbish and discarded leaflet with you. Leaving a site tidy protects your reputation with the council, and reduced the chance that complaints will be filed.
Concluslusion
If done well, a street stall is an effective and easy way to campaign but make sure you take the above advice into account, and use street stalls alongside other activities to ensure we are reaching as many people as possible.
