Young entrepreneurs take on the national final of the Young Trader Competition 2023
Jessica Moulsher, owner of Jessica Sian Illustrations, was named the overall winner of the competition, after winning the arts and crafts category.
Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, over 90 young traders, aged between 16 to 30 from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland travelled to Stratford-upon-Avon for the national final of the Young Traders Market competition.
After progressing through the local and regional heats, the young traders competed in the competition’s four categories: food and drink, arts and crafts, general retail and grocery.
For the second year running, the overall winner of the National Young Traders Market Federation competition traded at the East of England regional final that was held in Bury St Edmunds.
Jessica Moulsher, owner of Jessica Sian Illustrations, was named the overall winner of the competition, after winning the arts and crafts category. Through her love of art, Jessica creates illustrations of popular buildings and landscapes, as well as taking commissions to create personalised prints.
After her success in 2022, previous competition winner Sophie April Mann attended the event as an ambassador and judged the competition’s regional final in July.
Continuing the success of traders from the East of England, Holly Carr-Maskell won the food and drink category for her gin business Mill Gin Company. Shoppers can find Holly’s crafted gin at the makers markets in Bury St Edmunds and the monthly Clare markets.
Also competing in the national final from the East of England were: Bad Boi Burritos, Lavender and Lilac Candle Company, Morsi’s, Olivia’s Curiosities, and The Bottle Bank Company.
Donna Higgins, cabinet member for Families and Communities at West Suffolk Council, said: “The Young Traders Market competition is a brilliant opportunity demonstrating the talent, creativity and skills of young entrepreneurs whilst also encouraging and supporting the growth of local businesses. We are incredibly proud of the remarkable efforts of all participants throughout the competition and would encourage young people to turn their hobbies into a business and look to the markets as an opportunity to grow.”
West Suffolk Council proudly supported the NMTF Young Traders Market’s national campaign by supplying tables and gazebos, as well as covering insurance costs and offering support at the local and regional heats.
The young trader market will be back on Sunday, October 8, as part of the West Suffolk Business Festival held in Bury St Edmunds. For more information and to get involved in the festival, please contact: economic.development@westsuffolk.gov.uk