Young traders invited to sell at entrepreneurial market in Market Harborough

People aged from 16 to 30-years old with a skill, craft or business idea can book a stall for the event which takes place on The Square, on Saturday July 1, from 9am until 4pm.

The event, organised by the council’s market and events team, is part of the National Young Traders Market campaign run by the National Market Traders Federation, aimed at attracting new blood and young recruits into the markets industry.

There will be four categories for young traders to enter their wares including food and drink, arts and crafts, grocery and general retail.

Stalls will be judged on the day with one local winner receiving four weeks free trading at Harborough Indoor Market and going through to one of 10 regional finals involving a total of 250 young traders, and 90 young people then progressing to the national final held over the August bank holiday weekend at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Waterside. 

As well as a prestigious trophy, the overall winner will receive £500 cash and a mobile credit card terminal from the sponsors MultiPay, and there are also two highly commended businesses in each category.

Stallholders will be assessed on the quality of their products and display, as well as their customer engagement and the imaginative ways they promote their business.

Cllr Geraldine Whitmore, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for Culture, Leisure, Economy and Tourism, said: “The Young Traders Market is an exciting event that will play a key role in identifying a new generation of market traders by making young people an active part of our town centre. I am delighted that our district council-run market in Market Harborough is giving young people a free platform to get their businesses off the ground and showcase their creative talents.”

If you are interested, or would like further information, contact the market and events team at harboroughmarket@harborough.gov.uk

Harborough District Council is supporting this project through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus