Young traders sell their wares
Visitors to Slough’s first Young Traders Market (YTM) enjoyed browsing a range of stalls on Friday as the town’s mayor and councillors got ready to award certificates to entrepreneurs in the afternoon.
A total of 11 young entrepreneurs aged 16 to 30 hosted stalls in the Queensmere Observatory Shopping Centre concourse in an event brought forward by Slough BID and Slough Borough Council (SBC).
The Young Traders
Market is part of a national initiative run by the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF), which is currently in its 12th year and looks to attract young people to see markets as a career option and one which can help young entrepreneurs and new businesses to ‘achieve huge success’.
The event in Slough gave young entrepreneurs with an existing online presence an opportunity to trade on the day.
From 10am to 5pm, a continuous flow of up to 150 visitors browsed stalls offering a range of products including bespoke paintings and prints, homemade brownies, handmade jewellery, vintage clothing, handmade soaps and fragrances, and handmade eco printed accessories – made using real leaves.
Handmade crocheted toys and accessories were also available alongside fragrances, clay trinkets, and recycled paper.
Slough council leader Dexter Smith was present alongside mayor Cllr Amjad Abbasi and Slough Central ward councillors Dhruv Tomar and Ejaz Ahmed.
All the traders who took part were entered into the NMTF Young Traders Market 2024 campaign, and all those who make it through the upcoming regional events will battle it out at the national final in Stratford-Upon-Avon in August for the title of Young Trader of the Year.
Cllrs Abbasi, Ahmed and Tomar chose Ritu Ganshani, founder of sustainable fashion business Kensho, as the winner and she will now be invited to trade at the upcoming regional Young Traders Market event in Portobello
Road.
Evie Connolly, owner of jewellery business Poppy Orange Designs and Marc Brown, owner of vintage clothing business Vintage Hill Ltd were both Highly Commended, and all three were presented with certificates for their achievements.
Clarissa Parker, Slough BID manager, said: “On behalf of Slough BID, Slough Borough Council, NMTF and Queensmere Shopping Centre, we would like to thank all participants in Slough’s first Young Traders Market.
“It was a wonderful day, creating an interest and buzz in the town centre.
“All the Young Traders operated with professionalism, were courteous to all shoppers and the standard of their stalls was of the highest calibre.
“The aim of the YTM scheme is to bring new blood into the markets sector and to support high streets and town centres to thrive, as consumers seek out new experiences and offers.
“We aim to host another YTM in Slough within the next 12 months.”