THE COUNTRY’S best young market traders will again be going stall to stall in Stratford next week.
Waterside will host the final of the Young Traders Market initiative when around 70 entrepreneurs will compete for the title and £500 first prize.
The Young Traders Market has been devised by the NMTF, the only national UK organisation representing market and street traders, events retailers and mobile caterers. The final in Stratford follows six regional heats in which around 120 16 to 30-year-olds took part.
NMTF’s CEO Joe Harrison said: “The aim of the initiative is simple. We have a great retail markets industry in the UK, but to make sure they thrive in the years to come we have to bring new blood, young entrepreneurs with fresh ideas on to our markets.
“We know this project works because we tried it on a much smaller scale last year at youth markets, with regional finals in Leeds and Manchester before the national event in Stratford.
“This year we have invited as many young people as possible to get involved, whether they are would-be traders who want to dip their toe in the water, others who have been trading for some time, perhaps on a part-time basis, or those who have traded exclusively online but think a market pitch could be their shop window.”
Stratford District Council operations spokesman Ian Shenton said the town was proud to be hosting the final again following last year’s successful event.
“It is pleasing and exciting to see so many young people showing amazing entrepreneurial spirit and wanting to develop their own businesses.
“The NMTF should be congratulated for creating the competition, as these young entrepreneurs bring their own dynamic approach to markets and will ensure that they thrive and grow in the future.
“Alongside our market operators LSD Promotions, I warmly welcome all the young traders to our town and wish everyone the very best of luck in the competition – it’s going to be an amazing event.”
The Young Traders Market will be open for business on Friday and Saturday August 30 and 31, daily from 10am to 5pm.