A NEW youth market offering a variety of goods and services produced by young people from across North Worcestershire will take place on Bromsgrove High Street on March 25.
The venture, featuring entrepreneurs aged between 15 and 17, has come about following a partnership between Bromsgrove District Council and Young Enterprise. It is the first time in eight years an event of its kind has been held in the town centre – back then it was in the old Market Hall and it is hoped being on the High Street among the regular Saturday traders will make it more of a success.
Stall-holders are currently undertaking the Young Enterprise’s Company Programme which challenges participants to start a company and come up with goods and services they feel will be commercially viable.
They start their companies in September and they run until July when the students have can either shut them down or continue them.
As well as boosting the young people’s confidence, the Company Programme also teaches them a variety of skills, including communications, dealing with customers, costings and finance, working to deadlines, teamwork and problem solving.
Julia Neale, the Young Enterprise manager for North Worcestershire, said: “Sometimes employers say students are good academically but have no business skills – this is about getting them work-ready.
“Some young people have never worked in a shop, had a job or dealt with customers and this programme does that.”
Among the unique items on offer on March 25 will be handmade wooden items, including wine racks and plaques, mugs designed to appeal to young people and themed around Easter and Mother’s Day and crafted candles.
Other stalls on the day will be available to budding entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 25.
Coun Karen May, Bromsgrove District Council’s Cabinet member for Economic Development, said supporting the entrepreneurs of the future was vital.
“After all the successful M&S and Poundland started off as market stalls.
“We wanted to put on a Youth Market and when the opportunity arose to work with Young Enterprise, it became a reality.
“We have had such a great response to this we are already looking to put on another similar youth market later on in the year as part of Better Bromsgrove campaign.”
It is hoped, as well as showcasing young talent and offering shoppers something different, the event will also bring more young people into the town centre.
Bromsgrove’s centres manager Cheryl Welsh said: “This youth market is just the start of a host of speciality stalls we will be seeing across our district, along with lots of events, this year alone.”
Email [email protected] or visit https://www.young-enterprise.org.uk/ for more on Young Enterprise.
Those aged between 18 and 25 interested in having a stall should call Cheryl Walsh on 01562 732189.
