Support young market traders in regional finals competition

18 Jul 2023

After the success of the local competition heats, our young entrepreneurs will be back competing in the regional final of the Young Trader of the Year Competition.

Taking place on Wednesday 26 July in Bury St Edmunds, the regional final will see the young traders, all aged between 16 to 30, compete to win one of the following categories: general retail, arts and crafts, food and drink, and groceries. 

The young traders will be scored by a team of local judges, on their products, customer service skills, professionalism and how they interact with other market traders. The judging panel will comprise of Cllr Donna Higgins, Cabinet Member for Families and Communities at West Suffolk Council, Sophie Mann, NMTF’s Young Trader of the Year for 2022 and Mike Kirkham, Business Support Manager at Our Bury St Edmunds.

The winners from the regional finals will then progress to the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) national final in Stratford-upon-Avon over the August bank holiday weekend. The winner of the national final will receive a prestigious trophy, £500 cash and a mobile credit card terminal.

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, Cabinet Member for Growth at West Suffolk Council said: “The NMTF competition is a fantastic opportunity for young traders to showcase their creativity, talents and skills whilst growing their businesses. We are always keen to encourage young people as well as new businesses to trade at our West Suffolk markets as we recognise the vital importance of ensuring the up and coming talent has the support needed to flourish in our vibrant and beautiful area. Each young participant has worked incredibly hard, and we are proud to see them represent the local markets in this exciting regional final.”

Find the following young traders who won their category in the local heats:

• Olivia’s Curiosities - winner of the Haverhill General Retail category
• The Bottle Bank Co - winner of the Haverhill Sustainability category
• The Pencil Smith - winner of the Haverhill Craft category
• Boxaball Limited - winner of the Bury St Edmunds General Retail category
• Meadow & Woodland Livestock - winner of the Bury St Edmunds Grocery category
• Morsi’s - winner of the Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink category
• Lavender & Lilac Candle Co - winner of the Bury St Edmunds Craft category

The following traders who achieved highly commended awards in the local heats will also be attending the regional final:

• Moody Cow Crafts
• Dessert Den Ely Ltd
• SJP Nail Creations
• Olivia’s Curiosities
• Orphic Adornments
• Jessica Sian Illustrations
• Emily & Louise
• Hannah Handmakes
• Charlotte Emily Artist
• Cinders Macrame
• Tiffs Tempting Treats
• Bad Boi Burritos
• Licenced to Grill
• DearLove Limited
• Handmade Galore
• Preloved, Reloaded Kids

The NMTF Young Traders Market is a national campaign to encourage young people to trade at local markets. West Suffolk Council proudly supports the event by supplying tables and gazebos, as well as covering insurance costs.

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