Tameside Markets hosted two Young Traders events in Hyde and Ashton recently.

The initiative provided an opportunity for young people aged 16 to 30 to set up stall, and showcase their own business for free.

It provided the young people with first hand invaluable experience to learn various business skills. The initiative was also aimed at providing a greater variety and appeal for the markets.

The young traders were provided with a gazebo and table on which to set out their wares and start selling.

Hyde Godley councillor Betty Affleck said it was a ‘first’ of its kind for Tameside.

“We invited local young entrepreneurs to come down and display their goods.

“We hope they will be well supported and hope it will encourage the young traders to return as well.

“The  more encouragement they get the better they will become at trading too and it is encouraging for our young people.

“We also have the Artisan Markets and we are trying to encourage people to use the markets more with events every two weeks for the Hyde markets because if we don’t use them, we will lose them.”

BRILLIANT EXPERIENCE: Some of the young traders behind their stalls at Hyde Market Place on Saturday.

There were craft stalls and sweet stalls plus services all on offer at the market square on Saturday.

Tameside Radio reported live from the event on the day.

Executive Chairman of Quest Media Network (Tameside Radio and Tameside Reporter) Chris Bird praised the idea, having himself started his career with a market stall at the age of 13. He said the skills he learned from doing just that proved vital for his future career.

“I was never going to be a mathematician but the money side of it and percentages seemed to click when it came to trading.

“I had various market stalls for around eight years, selling everything from ladies and gents clothes and perfumes - all sorts of things.

“The market trade helped me to get where I am now in terms of understanding how to talk to people and gain confidence.”

Chris, former chief exec at Man City and who now heads the Raheem Sterling Foundation, says: “Without the markets I would not have got anywhere.”

Numerous entrepreneurs like Alan Sugar and Richard Branson all started out as traders.

In an earlier similar initiative, Chris himself set up Manchester Youth Markets to get young people involved in bringing their own goods that they had made or sourced to start up their own businesses.

“Tameside Markets have set up the Tameside Young Traders initiative and I think that is brilliant. It’s exactly what is wanted and needed.”

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