While some may argue that the worlds of markets and musicians couldn’t be further apart, our latest famous visitor to The Teenage Market proved otherwise. Making a stop off as part of his UK tour, X Factor and I’m A Celebrity star Jake Quickenden performed at the Beverley Teenage Market, sharing a stage with talented local young performers.
The Teenage Market was brought to East Yorkshire for the first time by the Federation of Small Business, East Riding College and East Riding Council, giving young people the chance to showcase their skills and test products in the Flemingate Shopping Centre. The market kicked-off the 12th annual Festival of Business across the Humber region, which saw more than 60 events held to inspire, educate and celebrate commercial success.
Ben Wright, regional youth co-ordinator for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “This is a fantastic event, which really gives young people a chance to shine and show off their talents and products. It has been a big commitment by a number of organisations involved to bring this concept to the region, and a great gesture by Humber Business Week to let us kick off this year’s festival.”
Over in Sheffield, their first-ever Teenage Market was hailed as a huge success after attracting more than 10,000 visitors to the city centre. Pinstone Street was alive with young market traders, whilst teenage street performers entertained the crowds with live music, arts and crafts and dance routines. This event was also organised by the FSB, with support from Sheffield City Council, Sheffield College, Young Enterprise, the Prince’s Trust, city schools and other supporters.
Andrew Flower, the FSB’s branch chairman, said: “The event was met with great support from Sheffield’s shoppers with activity on the 20 stalls being brisk all day. Many young traders took home bags full of money.”
A stalwart champion of the event was Louise Haigh MP – Labour’s youngest MP – and she carried out the informal opening of the market.
Mr Flower added: “We hope that this first Teenage Market in Sheffield will help a new generation of young entrepreneurs to gain a flavour of what it means to run a business. It is vital for future economic success that young people are encouraged to consider self-employment and enterprise as a possible career path. Some of the UK’s major businesses started out on a market stall and there is no doubt that some of these young traders will become the future drivers of jobs and prosperity in the UK economy.”
Joe Barratt
Co-Founder, The Teenage Market
If you would like to contact Joe about setting up a Teenage Market in your town or city please email him at joe@theteenagemarket.co.uk