AFTER the great success of Carlisle’s first Teenage Market, Cumberland Council has announced that a second market will be held. 

It will be held in Carlisle city centre on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Supported by the High Street Taskforce, the Teenage Market is a fast-growing nationwide initiative set up by teenage brothers Joe and Tom Barratt in Stockport to transform our town and city centres with the creativity of young people.

Supporters of The Teenage Market include businessman Theo Paphitis, designer Wayne Hemingway and retail guru Mary Portas, who described the initiative as being 'innovative and inspiring'.

The Teenage Market offers young people aged between 8 and 25 years old the opportunity to gain experience of selling and marketing their own products.

Young performers can also have the chance to take part in the day with performance opportunities within the city centre. 

Getting involved couldn’t be simpler simply create your trader or performer profile on the Teenage Market website and then apply to take part in the Carlisle Teenage Market on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Stalls and performance slots are being booked fast, so get your application in soon.

Co-creator of The Teenage Market, Joe Barratt, said: “Taking part in Teenage Market events not only gives young people across the country the free opportunity to grow their small businesses, but it also helps them develop really important life skills for the future, such as building confidence and better communication.

“With a recent survey from the National Association of British Market Authorities also finding that only 8 per cent of market traders are under the age of 40, there has never been a more important time to identify the market traders of tomorrow."

Comments from young traders and the families of young performers included:

“I had a great time at the market, and it's been really good for publicity, getting the chance to hand out the business cards has helped to grow my social media following loads.”

“I just wanted to say thank you very much to everyone involved in today’s Teenage Market. My daughter performed at 11 o’clock and was really well looked after and reassured. Everyone was so welcoming and made the whole experience one that we’ll never forget.”