After the great success of Carlisle’s first Teenage Market, held earlier this year, Cumberland Council is holding a second market in Carlisle city centre on Saturday 30 September 2023.
Supported by the High Street Taskforce, the Teenage Market is a fast-growing nationwide initiative set up by teenage brothers Joe and Tom Barratt in Stockport to transform our town and city centres with the creativity of young people. Supporters of The Teenage Market include businessman Theo Paphitis, designer Wayne Hemingway and retail guru Mary Portas, who described the initiative as being “innovative and inspiring”.
Carlisle’s Teenage Market offers young people aged between 8 and 25 years old the opportunity to gain experience of selling their own products and marketing their business. Young performers also have the opportunity to take part with a programme of live performances during the day.
There has been another fantastic response to the market with 26 young traders taking part, selling everything from handmade soap to imported American candy to scented candles made in Carlisle to organic treats. Students from local dance schools Northern Heights and Jordan Louise Dance will be showcasing their talents on the day, as well as local band The Spectrum and local solo performers.
We received great feedback from the young traders who participated in the first market held in April, with young people commenting that they valued the opportunity to learn how to sell, to earn some spending money from their hobby, to get their brand more well known and to connect with other young entrepreneurs.
Comments from young traders and the families of young performers included:
“I had a great time at the market, and it's been really good for publicity, getting the chance to hand out the business cards has helped to grow my social media following loads.”
“I just wanted to say thank you very much to everyone involved in today’s Teenage Market. My daughter performed at 11 o’clock and was really well looked after and reassured. Everyone was so welcoming and made the whole experience one that we’ll never forget!”
Co-creator of The Teenage Market, Joe Barratt, said:
“Taking part in Teenage Market events not only gives young people across the country the free opportunity to grow their small businesses, but it also helps them develop really important life skills for the future, such as building confidence and better communication.
“With a recent survey from the National Association of British Market Authorities also finding that only 8% of market traders are under the age of 40, there has never been a more important time to identify the market traders of tomorrow.
“I applaud the work that Cumberland Council is doing in this area, by working in partnership with the government’s High Streets Task Force to bring a regular programme of Teenage Market events to Carlisle and hope that the local community continue to show their generous support for the inspiring young people involved in our events.’
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places added:
“We are delighted to be holding our second Teenage Market in Carlisle’s city centre. Feedback from the first market, clearly demonstrated how much the young traders and performers valued the opportunity to connect with other like-minded young people and to have the opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity.
“The combination of this specialist retail experience and a live performance programme creates a thriving and bustling marketplace within the heart of the city which succeeds in attracting shoppers and visitors alike.
“The experience of trading offered by the Teenage Market provides our young people the chance to develop customer service skills, communication and presentation skills as well as many other important skills vital to the running of a business.
“The market is drawing young entrepreneurs from across Cumberland to participate and I hope that as many people as possible can visit the market and support our amazing young people.”
Support local young traders and performers by visiting the Carlisle Teenage Market at the Market Square, Carlisle City Centre on Saturday 30 September, between 10.30am and 3.30pm.
You can ‘Like’ The Teenage Market on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @teenage_market