The Teenage Market, a national initiative set up to champion the next generation of market traders, is coming to Margate in July.
Entrepreneurial young people will show their talents, from making jewellery and t-shirts to selling pre-loved clothes.
Thanet District Council is partnering with The Teenage Market for young people to show their creative skills, connect with the community and develop business experience.
The first Teenage Market in Thanet is on Saturday 6 July, 10am- 4pm at The Centre, Margate (in front of Peacocks) and young entrepreneurs from across the isle will be selling their creations.
Some 15 stalls are already confirmed and the venture is open to young people aged eight to 25.
A limited number of places are available and stallholders have been selected to ensure a varied offer. On the day there will also be a vibrant performance space. Expect talented young musicians, comedians and poets.
The success of the Margate Teenage Market relies as much on the support of local people and businesses, as on the young stallholders and performers taking part on the day. Local businesses can show their support by displaying posters in their window. They can also offer special deals or activities on the day or provide space for performers.
The Margate Teenage Market is being funded and hosted by the council with East Kent Colleges Group also contributing £1,000 towards some of the event costs. EKC is promoting the opportunity to schools across Thanet and Canterbury.
Louise Askew, Head of Regeneration and Growth at Thanet District Council, said: “We have been impressed by the quality and range of applications from stallholders and performers received so far. Some of them are as young as nine, which highlights the creativity and ambition of some of our youngest residents!
“I really hope that as many people as possible will come along to the market to show support. The young people will have put in a lot of hard work designing their stall and creating products to sell.
“This is also an opportunity to support your high street and explore what local businesses have to offer.”
Co-creator of The Teenage Market, Joe Barratt, said: “Having seen the impact that our events have made on the lives of young people, I’m delighted that Thanet District Council is giving young people a free platform to get their businesses off the ground and showcase their creative talents.”
Lucy McLeod, Deputy CEO at East Kent Colleges Group, added: “Across our whole college group we have some incredibly talented and creative young people, all learning and developing their skills so that they can achieve their future ambitions, whatever they might be. This is especially true within EKC Broadstairs College which serves the Thanet community, as well as within our colleges in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, and Sheppey.
“Many of our students within these colleges have entrepreneurial dreams, and the Margate Teenage Market is going to give them an amazing opportunity to showcase their skills to the community we proudly serve. We’re so excited to support it on that basis and are really looking forward to seeing our students and the other talented teenagers continue to flourish at the event.”
Further support comes from Thanet company, Harvey Waste Management- run by young businessman George Harvey and his family- which is providing general waste and recycling bins on the day. Evolve Estates, part of M Core and management company for The Centre, is supportive of the event.
Further information about the Teenage Market is available on The Teenage Market website and to register an interest in performing on the day please visit the Margate Teenage Market page.
