The Teenage Market, the national initiative that supports young entrepreneurs and performers, returns to its original home in Stockport Market on Sunday, May 22, as part of the ‘Love Your Local Market’ fortnight.
The event, which is sponsored by The Federation of Small Businesses, runs from 11am to 4pm in Stockport Market Place and fuses creative retail and live performance by giving young people a free platform to showcase their business ideas and talents.
The Teenage Market was created by Joe Barratt, 23, and his brother Tom in 2012 who attracted hundreds of people to their first event in Stockport Market Hall.
This success led to the pair being awarded funding from Stockport Council’s Business Challenge Fund which enabled them to create a web portal to help other organisers to run their own Teenage Market events.
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With over 1,000 traders and performers now signed up to the website, The Teenage Market is being held in over 30 towns and cities across the country and recently Joe and Tom were given a Special Recognition Award by the High Streets Minister Marcus Jones for their work in attracting young people back into their markets and town centres.
Stockport’s Teenage Market on May 22 will feature up to 25 young stallholders selling their own unique creative products and a host of talented performers including Miss Jenem, STOMP – Stockport Music Project – local bands Blank Cheque, Don’t Fret, Searching for the Enemy and Square One, the trio of 11-year-olds from the Heatons who are already making a name for themselves at town centre events such as Foodie Friday.
Showcase
The event will also showcase dance performances from AB Academy, Gibson’s Dance Academy, Ohana Youth Theatre and NK Theatre Arts with a special drama presentation from the Stockport’s Garrick Youth Theatre.
Joe said: “The Teenage Market brings the energy, diversity and vibrancy of local young people to our markets and town centres.
“We hope the community will come out to support the next generation of market traders during Love Your Local Market and enjoy a day of fantastic shopping and entertainment in Stockport Market.”
For more information on how you can sign up to be a trader or performer at Teenage Market events visit www.theteenagemarket.co.uk.
