RUGBY’S first Teenage Market has been hailed a success – and young entrepreneurs are being encouraged to get involved.
Traders aged 10-17 built their confidence and business skills by putting their handmade crafts, art, fashion, food and small business ideas up for sale at the Teenage Market.
They collectively sold over 600 products, making a total profit of over £1,800 in the process.
The Teenage Market, held as part of Rugby Borough Council’s Easter Market celebrations, helped to attract strong footfall across the weekend, and generated positive feedback from traders, shoppers and local businesses.
It was the second Teenage Market funded by Warwickshire County Council (WCC), aiming to help young people to develop their entrepreneurial, employability and social skills.
Stallholder Layla Marsh from Rugby said: “The event was so chill and everyone was so friendly. Please do one again soon!”
A parent of fellow Rugby stallholder Jacob Walsgrove added: “The event really helped Jacob with his confidence by being able to speak to people about what he loves. It was also really good for the town – it helped bring more people in and created a great atmosphere.”
Another stallholder, Ava Breadmore from Coventry, said: “I thought it was an incredible idea.
“All of the staff were so kind and supportive but still treated us like adults, and helped us to make the most of the event.
“I also think there was amazing communication before and during the event from the organisers about the plans and everything we needed to do which made the whole thing so much easier.”
Tom Kittendorf, Assistant Director for Leisure & Wellbeing at Rugby Borough Council, said everyone at the council had been impressed with the Teenage Markets.
He added: “They’ve enabled us to create opportunities and meaningful connections for an age group that can often be difficult to engage through traditional town centre events.
“The energy, creativity and professionalism shown by the young traders has been fantastic, and the positive impact on the town centre was clear to see.”
WCC aims to make the Teenage Market model accessible to any town or place in Warwickshire.
Joe Barratt, Executive Director of Place for Youth CIC, said: “The number of applications to become traders at Warwickshire’s Teenage Markets has been very high and we’ve received lots of enquiries around future events, so there is a real demonstrable demand and appetite from the young people of Warwickshire to engage with towns and villages in this way.”
Mark Ryder, Executive Director for Communities at Warwickshire County Council, added: “We are delighted to see towns across Warwickshire continuing to embrace Teenage Markets as a way of creating connection, skills and opportunities for our young people.
“Events like this demonstrate the value of investing in youth led activity that benefits individuals, communities and town centres alike.”
The Teenage Markets programme will continue to roll out across Warwickshire throughout the year.
Contact Joe Barratt at [email protected] or email [email protected] for more information on hosting an event.
Visit https://theteenagemarket.co.uk/sign-up to register as a Teenage Market trader.
