Is York the home of Britain’s next Young Market Trader of the Year?

Roll up, roll up; see some of the country’s best young market traders in our very own city.

It’s fair to say that York has housed an awful lot of talent. From actress Judi Dench to alternative rock group Shed Seven; ex-England football manager Steve McClaren to, of course, chocolatier Joseph Rowntree.

We’re not short of bloody good entrepreneurs either. And if you go through Parliament Street on Yorkshire Day – 1st August – then you can expect to see 40 of the 16-30 year olds from Yorkshire and the Humber manning their very own market stalls. They’ll be showing off their products and services in the regional final of the Young Traders Market, and will range from people who are just starting out to those whom have already made their mark in retail.

One of six regional finals, the talented youngsters that progress in York will battle it out for the overall title at the national final in Stratford-upon-Avon next month.

Chris Price, Head of City Centre and Markets at Make It York, says: “It’s fantastic to be the host city for this regional final. Many of today’s most successful businesses started life in a daily local market and we hope this event will help encourage and develop our young entrepreneurs of the future. Inspiring young people is essential to the sustainability of markets at the centre of our community, as Shambles Market is in York, and what better day to do so than on Yorkshire Day.”

It’s not just about the Young Traders Market though – there will be plenty of other things to see and do to celebrate Yorkshire Day. St Sampson’s Square will offer a cinema screen showing Yorkshire film archives, and Chicken Run, set in Yorkshire, will play from 1pm.

Entertainment will be everywhere as local talent provide live music and The York BID will be staging the Indie Yorkshire Food and Drink Trail. Bunting and Yorkshire flags will of course shower the city, and local businesses including York Hog Roast Co. and The Botanist will also be offering their goods.

Click here for more information on the Young Traders Market.