Regional final of Young Trader Competition to be held in Bury St Edmunds next week

After the successful local heats, young entrepreneurs will be back competing in the regional final of the Young Trader Competition 2024 in Bury St Edmunds.

Taking place on Wednesday, July 31, the regional final will see traders, all aged between 16 to 30, compete to win one of the following categories: general retail, arts and crafts, food and drink, and groceries.

The winners from the regional final will then progress to the national final in Stratford-upon-Avon to compete over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Traders will be scored by a team of local judges on their products, customer service skills, professionalism and how they interact with other market traders.

The judging panel will comprise of Cliff Waterman (leader of West Suffolk Council), Diane Hind (chair of Bury St Edmunds Town Council and West Suffolk Council cabinet member) and Sophie Mann (previous competition winner).

Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for Growth at West Suffolk Council, said: “We are incredibly proud to host the regional final of the Young Trader Competition next week.

“West Suffolk Council firmly believes in our young traders and with events like these, we can give our young entrepreneurs a great start to their futures, and continue to welcome all traders to our thriving communities.

“Traders and visitors from across the East of England will be heading to Bury St Edmunds for the prestigious event.

“I really encourage the local community to go and support our young entrepreneurs whilst discovering the range of exciting and unique products on offer, and showcasing their exceptional talent and creative abilities.”

The NMTF Young Traders Market is a national campaign to encourage young people to trade at local markets. West Suffolk Council proudly supports the event by supplying tables and gazebos, as well as covering insurance costs.