Young traders are being invited to show off their stalls to hundreds of shoppers thanks to a free business opportunity organised by City of Wolverhampton Council.

As part of the national Young Traders Market programme, entrepreneurs aged between 16 and 30 can take advantage of special events being run throughout July and August.

Anyone taking part can have a stall for free at our popular markets as well as grab the chance to enter a national young traders’ competition, run by the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF).

The young trader events will be held on Saturdays - 23 July at Bilston Indoor and Outdoor Market, 30 July at Wednesfield Market and 6 August at the City Centre Market.

This is the second year that the council has run special events for young traders. The days offer a great opportunity to help kickstart or grow a business as well as meet existing customers on popular days for the three markets.

To provide ongoing support, the council is also offering a package for young traders. The package includes teaming up with a mentor who has market trading experience, access to business support, four weeks free rent, discounted rent periods and enrolment onto the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme.

Young traders who take part in the events, either on one, two or all three dates, will also have the chance of being entered into the national competition run by the NMTF.

The competition recognises and celebrates young traders from across the UK, and Wolverhampton will be hosting the regional final of the competition on August 6, ahead of a national final in Stratford-upon-Avon on August 26 and 27.

Last year, five young people who took part in the young traders’ event in the city went on to win their way through to the national finals.

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for city environment and climate change, said: “I’m really pleased that we’re offering this opportunity for our young people for the second year running.

“It’s a great way for anyone who is thinking of starting their own business to take advantage of a free platform with existing customers. And we’ll also be backing this up with our package of support for young traders.

“Markets are a really good base to start businesses. Set up costs are low and stall holders can concentrate on building up great face-to-face relationships with customers.”

Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “One of our priorities as a city is to create more opportunities for our young people.

“By offering the free young trader stalls at our markets, we hope to encourage a new generation of business owners to see their ideas take flight.

“Last year we had a great range of products for sale, including homemade brownies, stylish handbags and purses, handmade hair scrunchies and face coverings, garden ornaments and homemade candles, frames and Mehndi designs. So, if you have a business you’d like to start or one you’d like to grow, we’d love to hear from you.”

For information on how to get a stall for the young trader events, please contact markets@wolverhampton.gov.uk or 01902 555200.