Young people from across the country will be setting out their stalls in Manchester later this week when the National Youth Market returns to the city.
Run by NMTF, the trade association for market traders in the UK, the event has been hosted by the city council for four years. This is the second year the event has been held in King Street.
Traders aged 16 to 30 will be offering a range of goods to the shopping public, including delicious street food, handmade crafts, artisan treats, vintage clothing and funky own-brand fashion.
Ross Ballinger, 16, from Stone, Staffordshire, runs Phoenix Engravers, a business he started only six months ago.
He said: “I have been juggling starting the business with school but I’ve already developed a website and traded at some local artisan markets. This event will help to build my profile and make new contacts.”
Foodie Jennifer Ardenne, 23, from Leeds, sells authentic Caribbean food in the redeveloped Kirkgate Market in Leeds.
Commenting on how she started up, she said: “I started in 2015 in my final year at university, trading from a van at festivals. I really push myself and I want to give more to build my business – this is a great opportunity to showcase my passion!”
Traders on the National Youth Market are all competing for a £500 prize and to be crowned Young Trader of the Year, judged by the NMTF and fellow trade body in the industry, NABMA.
Earlier this year, NABMA, a national trade body for market operators in the UK, encouraged market managers to hold youth markets and to submit their ‘champions’ to trade. Over 40 events took place.
Joe Harrison, chief executive of NMTF, said: “Trading on markets is an ideal way for young entrepreneurs to test out ideas and build a business with much smaller overheads than a shop.
“Alongside NABMA, we are actively encouraging initiatives to introduce more young people to markets. Traditional markets are improving because of this surge of new blood into our sector.”
The National Youth Market is open for business in King Street, Manchester, on Friday, September 2 and Saturday, September 3 from 10am to 5pm.
In addition, there will be live music and performances from local artists.
More information about the National Youth Market, including a list of traders, can be found by clicking here.
Young entrepreneurs interested in trading on markets in Manchester, including the city’s own youth market, should contact the council on 0161 234 5700 or by emailing [email protected]
