The Teenage Market is returning to Carlisle for a second year running.
Organised by Cumberland Council, the market is set to return to the city centre on Saturday 27 April from 10am until 3.30pm – a year after it’s successful launch in April 2023.
Stalls sell everything from vintage clothes to homemade cakes, handmade ceramics and photographic prints alongside a programme of live performances.
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.
The Teenage Market offers young people aged between eight 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 available throughout the afternoon. It is completely free for young people to attend the Teenage Market, with gazebos, tables and sound equipment being provided.
In the year since it first launched – the market in Carlisle has hosted a total of 72 traders over three markets as well as 14 performers.
Aiden Thompson, aged 15 from Whitehaven, attended his first Teenage Market in December with his business Cumbria Coastal Crafts.
He said: “I decided to take part in the teenage market to widen my market and have people from Carlisle know about my business. The Teenage Market led to an increase in sales revenue which I could then use to fund further growth of the business.
“I enjoyed interacting with customers and telling people about the products I sell and how I make them. At the market, I gave out business cards which led to an increase in followers on social media and a handful of orders for commissioned pieces.
“I would definitely recommend the teenage market to anyone considering it as it is free and will help increase the awareness around your business and people will want to support you.”
Members of the girls club at The Rock Youth Project, Carlisle, also had a stall at the December market to fund raise for a Christmas trip which all members of the club could attend.
Hannah Gill, project manager at The Rock, said: “The young people designed what they would make and sell on the stall, researched how much they would need for the trip to be possible, researched expenditure for the stall and how they could make a profit.
“The young people learnt marketing skills, designing posters and advertising. Over several weeks the young people worked hard, learnt new skills including teamwork, communication and leadership to put the items for the stall together.
“Doing the stall, the young people started off feeling shy and nervous, not knowing how to communicate with the public, however they quickly learnt how to attract people to the stall.
“The young people went from being shy and nervous to building fast rapport with customers which meant we had lots of sales at one point they had a queue! The young peoples had improved confidence and learnt money handling skills.
“The young people left the day buzzing, with a massive sense of achievement and accomplishment they were so proud of themselves.”
Stalls and performance slots are still available for young people looking to take part. Details can be found on the Teenage Market website.
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.
“I applaud the work that Cumberland Council is doing in this area, by working in partnership with the government’s High Streets Task Force to bring a regular programme of Teenage Market events to Carlisle and hope that the local community continue to show their generous support for the inspiring young people involved in our events.”
Councillor Anne Quilter, executive member for vibrant and healthy places at Cumberland Council said: “I am delighted that the Teenage Market is returning to Carlisle in 2024 and that it is continuing to capture the imagination of young traders and performers not only from Carlisle but also from right across Cumberland.
“The quality of products and performances on show at these markets is exceptional and I congratulate all those who take part for all their hard work and creativity.”
