Who will be this year’s Young Trader of the Year?
The campaign to find the UK’s best young market trader will come to a climax this August bank holiday weekend when young entrepreneurs from all over the country converge on Stratford-upon-Avon for the grand final.
Over 90 young people aged 16 to 30 have made it through to the final after judges selected winners, first from local events held up and down the country, then from 10 regional finals in which a total of more than 500 young traders took part.
Now in its twelfth year, the Young Trader campaign is run by the NMTF (National Market Traders Federation) as a platform to showcase the talent and potential that young entrepreneurs bring to the market place and to encourage more young traders on to the UK’s markets.
Joe Harrison, the NMTF’s CEO, said: “We have an incredible asset in our retail markets which are the backbone of so many market towns and bring life and vibrancy to our cities. They are such an important part of our history and heritage, but don’t always get the recognition and investment they deserve.”
He explained that the NMTF launched the campaign because of concerns that many market traders were nearing retirement and markets across the UK needed fresh young blood to keep markets doing well.
“There are so many examples of multinationals that started with a market trader selling from a humble stall. Tesco, Marks & Spencer, The Range and Matalan are all businesses started by market traders. You never know, there might be a young person setting up stall in Stratford-upon-Avon who will be the next big business success. And in these difficult times, we need entrepreneurship and fresh ideas more than ever,” he added.
The NMTF’s campaign began in a small way in Manchester over a decade ago and has grown over the years, with young trader events becoming a summer highlight in many towns, and the regional finals attracting huge interest and footfall in 10 cities across the UK.
Joe said: “We were delighted to be able to continue to deliver 10 regional final events. I attend every regional final and I continue to be blown away by the incredible enthusiasm and professionalism of these young people. The diverse businesses they have started is impressive and I know that members of the public have really enjoyed the experience of shopping on these young traders markets. It really gives us hope for the future.”
The traders will set up stall in Stratford-upon-Avon’s picturesque Waterside close to the Shakespeare Theatre on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 August.
There are four categories — food and drink, arts and crafts, grocery, and general retail.
Expert judges will spend time talking to the traders, watching the way they trade and looking at their different lines and business models.
Category winners and highly commended traders will be announced in the four categories on Saturday afternoon, followed by the announcement of this year’s Young Trader of the Year.
Past winners have included a young fruit and veg trader on Warrington Market, a young woman from Yorkshire who has established her own cosmetics business, and a young trader who creates ornaments and lights from unusual objects such as musical instruments, and rings from silver spoons.
In recognition of the district and town councils allowing the NMTF to continue to hold the event in Stratford-upon-Avon, the young traders will be donating to the Mayor’s Charities.
Joe Harrison said: “Whoever is named this year’s Young Trader of the Year will have really earned their title as the standard is so high. We are very grateful to Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council for their support over the last seven years. In our appreciation of this, the young traders will collectively be making a donation to the Mayor’s chosen charities and the NMTF will also match the amount raised. Our appreciation also goes to that of so many councils and private market operators across the country who have come on board holding the local events.”
He also thanked LSD, a private market operator based in Stourbridge which runs a string of markets across the Midlands including two in Stratford-upon-Avon. “LSD provide and set up the stalls for the final and support the initiative wholeheartedly,” Joe said.
Follow the excitement on social media: #YoungTraders @marketsuponavon @marketsmatter
Website: https://www.nmtf.co.uk/campaigns/young-traders-market
FB event link: https://www.facebook.com/share/qLbQUKk7mWGU7h1J/
