Roll up, roll up – Thanet District Council brings The Teenage Market to Margate

On Saturday 6 July 2024, Thanet will play host to The Teenage Market, a national initiative set up to champion the next generation of market traders. Landing in Margate, the aim now is to encourage everyone to come along and show their support for young entrepreneurs.

Many young people have a talent for creating beautiful and imaginative things. They might make jewellery, design unique t-shirts or sell pre-loved clothes. To help channel this talent, Thanet District Council is partnering with The Teenage Market. It’s a platform for young people to show their creative skills, connect with the community and develop business experience.

The first Teenage Market in Thanet is on Saturday 6 July 2024, 10am- 4pm at The Centre, Margate CT9 1JG (in front of Peacocks).

Young entrepreneurs from across Thanet will be selling their creations at the market. A limited number of places are available and stallholders have been selected to ensure a varied offer. On the day there will also be a vibrant performance space. Expect talented young musicians, comedians and poets. 

The success of the Margate Teenage Market relies as much on the support of local people and businesses, as on the young stallholders and performers taking part on the day. Local businesses can show their support for the Margate Teenage Market by displaying posters in their window. They can also offer special deals or activities on the day or provide space for performers.

The Margate Teenage Margate is being funded and hosted by Thanet District Council. The East Kent Colleges Group has also contributed £1,000 towards some of the event costs and is supporting the event by promoting the opportunity to schools across Thanet and Canterbury. 

Louise Askew, Head of Regeneration and Growth at Thanet District Council, said: “We have been impressed by the quality and range of applications from stallholders and performers received so far. Some of them are as young as nine, which highlights the creativity and ambition of some of our youngest residents! 

“I really hope that as many people as possible will come along to the market to show support. The young people will have put in a lot of hard work designing their stall and creating products to sell. 

“This is also an opportunity to support your high street, and explore what local businesses have to offer.” 

Co-creator of The Teenage Market, Joe Barratt, said “Having seen the impact that our events have made on the lives of young people, I’m delighted that Thanet District Council is giving young people a free platform to get their businesses off the ground and showcase their creative talents.” 

Lucy McLeod, Deputy CEO at East Kent Colleges Group, said: “Across our whole College Group we have some incredibly talented and creative young people, all learning and developing their skills so that they can achieve their future ambitions, whatever they might be. This is especially true within EKC Broadstairs College which serves the local Thanet community, as well as within our colleges in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone, and Sheppey.

“Many of our students within these colleges have entrepreneurial dreams, and the Margate Teenage Market is going to give them an amazing opportunity to showcase their skills to the community we proudly serve. We’re so excited to support it on that basis and are really looking forward to seeing our students and the other talented teenagers continue to flourish at the event.”

Further support comes from local company, Harvey Waste Management, which is providing general waste and recycling bins on the day. Evolve Estates, part of M Core and management company for The Centre, is supportive of the event and hopes it will foster collaboration among businesses in the high street.

Further information about the Teenage Market is available on The Teenage Market website and to register an interest in performing on the day please visit the Margate Teenage Market page.