Sheffield's first-ever Teenage Market attracts 10, 000 visitors

Louise Haigh MP with committee members Ben Wright, Tracey Hunt and Eve Millward at the Teenage Market in Sheffield.

The event was held in the Peace Gardens on June 11 to give young people the chance to showcase their talents for free.

Pinstone Street was alive with scores of young market traders, whilst teenage street performers entertained the crowds with live music, arts and crafts and dance routines.

It was organised by the Federation of Small Businesses, with support from Sheffield City Council, Sheffield College, Young Enterprise, the Prince’s Trust, city schools and other supporters.

Andrew Flower, the FSB’s branch chairman, said: “The event was met with great support from Sheffield’s shoppers, as an estimated 10,000 visitors descended on the Peace Gardens.

“Being situated in the very centre of city, in the heart of the bustling shopping centre on the busiest trading day of the week undoubtedly assisted us in securing a vast number of visitors.

“Activity on the 20 stalls was brisk all day, with many young traders taking home bags full of money.

“The traders and entertainers came from a whole variety of social and ethnic backgrounds.

“Space was even found for a local street busker to perform before the assembled masses.”

A stalwart champion of the event throughout its planning and preparation was Louise Haigh MP - Labour’s youngest MP - and she carried out the informal opening of the market.

The Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force supported proceedings by erecting a climbing wall to set a challenge for youngsters to show off their mountaineering prowess.

Mr Flower added: “We hope that this first Teenage Market in Sheffield will help a new generation of young entrepreneurs to gain a flavour of what it means to run a business. It is vital for future economic success that young people are encouraged to consider self-employment and enterprise as a possible career path. Some of the UK’s major businesses started out on a market stall and there is no doubt that some of these young traders will become the future drivers of jobs and prosperity in the UK economy.”