Winners of regional heat of young market traders competition unveiled

The regional final of the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) Young Trader Competition has been held in Bury St Edmunds, this week.

The event, held on Wednesday, July 24, brought a great deal of excitement to the town as traders aged between 16 and 30 from across East Anglia set up their products ready for the chance to compete.

Winners and highly commended participants from previous heats in Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket could be seen participating in the highly prestigious event.

The stalls boasted a large variety of products, from tasty brownies to bespoke bookmarks, and handmade coasters to freshly made coffee.

Each trader competed in an array of categories and were evaluated against a range of criteria such as products, customer service and how they interacted with other participants.

The judging panel comprised of Cliff Waterman, leader of West Suffolk Council; Diane Hind, Mayor of Bury St Edmunds; and Sophie Mann, National Young Trader of the year winner 2022.

The young traders who won their category in the local heats were:

• Overall winner: Anna Sutton, Anna Joan’s Art.
• Arts and Crafts: Anna Sutton, Anna Joan’s Art.
• General retail: Sophie Aris, Handmade Galore.
• Food and Drink: James Larder, Roasters Coffee.
• Groceries: Rebecca Bridges, B.B’s Bakery.

Councillor Waterman said: “It is encouraging to see the energy and innovation these young entrepreneurs bring to our local markets. Their passion and creativity are key drivers for the sustainable growth of the markets and contribute significantly to the economic vitality of the area.

“This competition is just a small part of the work West Suffolk Council is putting into developing our thriving communities and sustainable growth for the benefit of all our residents and businesses.”

Indy Wijenayaka, cabinet member for Growth at West Suffolk Council, added: “We are thrilled with how successful the Young Trader Competition has been this year.

“The competition is a wonderful way for young people to boost their market presence as well as develop and harness vital skills in a safe and welcoming environment.

“Not only is it a great opportunity for those trading, but also for visitors who are able to support the local community and small businesses within it.

“The talent of those competing has been exceptional and it is incredibly inspiring to see the dedication and skill of our young people. I wish all those going to compete at the National Final in Stratford-Upon-Avon the best of luck.”

Those who were successful in the regional final will now progress to the National Final in Stratford-upon-Avon over the August Bank Holiday weekend.