Earlestown Christmas celebration to form part of The Teenage Market event this weekend

Article date: 13 December 2024

Due to have taken place last Saturday (7 December), the Christmas celebration had to be postponed on health and safety grounds as a result of severe weather warnings in place for Storm Darragh.

The council can confirm that a new date has been set for this weekend, forming part of nationwide initiative, The Teenage Market, which transform towns and city centres with the creativity of young people - with 20 traders from the St Helens borough area and wider North West registered to date who will be selling a variety of products that make for perfect Christmas gifts and stocking fillers, including handmade bags, bracelets, earrings, jewellery and artwork and much more.

In addition to the young traders, The Teenage Market will also feature a stage with performances from local dance and music groups, as well as a children's funfair; Santa's Grotto experience that costs £5 per child or £12.50 for a family ticket (3+ children), Christmas walk around characters and street food.

Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: "It was a great shame that we had to postpone last Saturday's Christmas celebration in Earlestown town centre, but we promised that we'd rearrange it, and that we have as part of innovative Teenage Market which we're delighted to welcome to our historic Earlestown market, which dates back more than 700 years, for the first time.

"There's sure to be a hive of activity around the market that day with a great festive atmosphere and I'd encourage the local community to come out and embrace this family-friendly event."

Co-creator of The Teenage Market, Joe Barratt, said "The Teenage Market really is the key to bringing our high streets and marketplaces back to life by identifying a whole new generation of market traders and small business owners. We are delighted to be working with St Helens Borough Council to give young people a free platform to get their businesses off the ground and showcase their creative talents and I'd encourage everyone to come down and give them your full support."

Earlestown town centre Christmas celebration and The Teenage Market will take place in Market Square between 11:00-4:00pm.

The Teenage Market is supported by St Helens Borough Council and the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund.

Limited places to be a trader or performer are still available. Visit www.theteenagemarket.co.uk