Young entrepreneurs set out their stall at Leeds Kirkgate market as part of ‘Love your Local Market’ fortnight.

Young people from across Leeds and West Yorkshire will be showcasing their creative talents and business skills at Leeds Kirkgate Market during Love Your Local Market fortnight which runs from 17 May to 31 May.

Young traders aged between 16 and 30 will be testing out their innovative skills to get a taste of what it means to be a market trader. With a fantastic mix of traders, from unique artwork by Kat Williams Illustration to fashion jewellery at just before pay day prices by Ring & Tings and Regina Auream.

There’ll be something sweet from Lulu’s cupcakes and unique prints from Myartventure, who uses old skool tattoos as inspiration for her work. Other young traders will be bringing some homemade crafts to the market including crochet from Babee Makes and soaps by YMAV. Completing the line-up is identiTee who produce gender neutral clothing.

The young entrepreneurs will be trading on different days across Love your Local Market fortnight, with details of when they will be trading posted to @Leedsmarkets social media channels.

Young Traders from the Love Your Local Market fortnight will also have the opportunity to sell their wares at the next ‘Teenage Market’ on Saturday 8 June between 10.00am to 4.00pm. The Teenage Market will take place in the events space at Kirkgate and is being hosted in partnership with Hammerson, the owners of Victoria Leeds (Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate).

Following on from the huge success of the Regional Youth Market finals held at Kirkgate Market last year on Yorkshire day, four young traders from the Teenage Market will be entered into the National Market Traders Federation’s National Youth Market competition, this year to be held in York.

Councillor Asghar Khan, Leeds City Council's deputy executive member with responsibility for markets:

“We have so many talented, gifted and creative young people here in Leeds who just need to be given the right opportunity to grow their business idea. With events like Love your Local Market fortnight and the Teenage Market it allows us to not only nurture young talent and encourage and inspire the next generation of potential traders to Leeds Kirkgate Market. It is also a fantastic opportunity for people to get their hands on a real creative mix of products. So I’d encourage everyone to come along and see some amazing items that you really wouldn’t find anywhere else.”

Love Your Local Market is a celebration of the UK's vibrant market culture and the National Youth Market celebrates young entrepreneurs trading at markets, festivals and fairs across the country and provides the opportunity for young people to test out, launch, and grow a business.

ENDS.