A selection of young entrepreneurs from across Warrington came together on Saturday to put on a market like no other.
The first ever Warrington Young Traders Market attracted over 20 budding businesses to give a market stall a try as part of the wider Young Traders Market scheme run by the NMTF in conjunction with Warrington Market.
As well as encouraging people aged 16-30 to sample markets for free, the Young Traders Market scheme is also a nationwide competition, aiming to find the National Young Trader of the Year, last year won by Warrington Market’s own Rob Leicester of Warrington Fruit & Veg.
Over 2000 people came down to support the market stall holders and also cheer on some incredible, local, musical talent, with a live music stage hosted by Lee Harman of Warrington Music.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Russ Bowden said; “The Young Traders Market is a great initiative and it was encouraging to see so many talented young people take the opportunity to trade at the event. The council is investing in the future of our town centre with the multi million pound Time Square Development, which includes a brand new indoor market hall to provide opportunities for independent business owners”.
The judges were so impressed by the quality of the businesses that a total of 11 progressed to the next round of the competition, the highest amount of traders put through from local heats in the North West.
New Warrington based Brewery, Modern Day Monks were crowned Warrington’s Young Traders of the Year with four more businesses being crowned highly commended on the day.
Chief Executive of the National Markets Traders Federation, Joe Harrison said; “Markets lie at the heart of retail and for us as an industry we must step up to the challenge of developing markets that serve communities and especially our younger generation”.
“Year on year, we are seeing more and more towns and cities joining in and hosting their own Young Trader Market up and down the country. I have to say, I was hugely impressed with Warrington’s Young Trader Market. The quality and diversity on show was fantastic and it’s encouraging for the future of the industry. I am really pleased Warrington Borough Council see the value of markets and are investing in a new market hall to provide opportunities for the next generation”.
The Young Traders Market which was developed by NMTF to encourage the next generation on entrepreneurs to consider markets as an option and to help bring a fresh injection to our high streets, towns and cities has gone from strength to strength.
The North West Regional Final of the Young Traders Market also takes place outside Warrington Market on Saturday 3 August from 10am.
More details can be found on the Warrington Market Facebook page @WarringtonMkt.
