A call to market for young entrepreneurs

Durham Outdoor Market is inviting young entrepreneurs to bring their ideas and products to market at Durham City’s first ever Youth Market.
The Youth Market, which will take place on Sunday 19th May, is an opportunity for budding entrepreneurs aged between 16 and 23(ish) to book a stall either to market test their money spinning idea, or if they are further along the line, to sell their product.
Colin Wilkes, Managing Director of Durham Markets commented: “Like many well-known entrepreneurs, taking a market stall to develop and sell your product can be the first step on the road to success, it being a cost effective and practical way of getting any prospective entrepreneur in front of the public with their product.”
Young traders can book a traditional canopied market stall for just £10 per stall, a special price for this market only. Any young person interested in a stall should call Karen Wilkes at Durham Markets on 0191 384 6153 or email durhammarkets@yahoo.co.uk for an application form, or for further information.
Colin Wilkes added: “We’re really excited about our first Youth Market. This is the opportunity for young people to put their ideas and products, whatever they may be, in front of a buying public in the heart of Durham City. I’m sure there will be a lot of talented individuals out there and we hope we can give them some encouragement by providing the opportunity to take this important next step. We’re looking forward to discovering a whole host of new talent, the entrepreneurs of the future.
“The ‘stall for a tenner’ idea was part of the Mary Portas’ review of High Streets. It’s one of her ideas to encourage new independent businesses into retail and is especially aimed at young people. We’re sure there are many young independent traders in the region who will jump at the chance to promote their idea at Durham’s Youth Market.”
The Youth Market is part of Love Your Local Market (LYLM) fortnight, a national celebration of markets running from Wednesday 15th to Wednesday 29th May, 2013, which was launched in the House of Commons by Eric Pickles MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, in November 2012.
Graham Wilson OBE, Chief Executive of the National Association of British Market Authorities, commented: “It’s great to see young people getting involved in markets. They have so much to offer with their enthusiasm, freshness and new ideas and they are an important part of Love Your Local Market 2013.”
As well as the Youth Market, for LYLM Durham Markets will be holding a Nostalgia and General Market on the Bank Holiday Weekend, Sunday 26th and Monday 27th May 2013. The cost of a stall for this market will be £15 per stall per day and priority will be given to new traders, or traders who have not traded previously in Durham City. Interested traders are invited to phone 0191 384 6153 for an application form, or to email durhammarkets@yahoo.co.uk.