Teenage Market brings new opportunities for young talent

Article date: 23 December 2024

Selling a variety of gifts and goodies, many created themselves by teenagers, the first market of its kind in the borough was a huge success.

An 18-year-old trader - Latoya Likambi, who runs Teyes Eye Skincare, has even applied for a pitch to trade on Earlestown Market following the event. She said: "The Teenage Market is a great way to boost confidence, social skills and support young business owners and entrepreneurs, such as myself, to reach out to new markets."

The market raised almost £3,000 for the stallholders collectively, with more than 400 products bought on the day.

Summer Topping, aged 18, who runs Create Sum, said: "I have had a lovely day, all the staff have been really friendly. I hope there are more Teenage Markets for me to do, as young people are the future and it's really good to experience what it's like to have stall for a day at a market." 

The event also welcomed young performers from the borough who brought some festive cheer to proceedings.

Alison Clancy, Principal at Stagecoach Performing Arts St Helens, added: "Stagecoach St Helens were delighted to be invited to take part in the Earlestown Teenage Market and provide our pupils with the opportunity to perform to the local community. Our Friday and Saturday Schools are based in Hope Academy, Newton-le-Willows, so it was a privilege to be able to perform in our hometown."

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth and Regeneration, said: "The first Teenage Market in Earlestown was a great success and this kind of project really fits with our Inclusive Growth approach to supporting business start-ups and entrepreneurship. This is the first time we've tried this initiative and it's great to see the connections already being made for some of the traders. Our two hugely transformational town centre regeneration schemes will soon bring even more opportunities for homegrown businesses to develop and grow across the borough."

Joe Barratt, National Director of The Teenage Market added: "I'm delighted that the first Teenage Market event in Earlestown was as huge success, which was made possible thanks to the amazing talents of all the young traders and performers who took part. For nearly half of the stallholders, it was their first time trading at a market and they did incredibly well pitching their products to customers. We look forward to working with St Helens Borough Council in the future to provide more opportunities for young people to showcase their creative talents at our events."