The Blue Market, managed by Big Local Works, has partner with the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) to host our first ever Young Traders Market (YTM). The aim of this series of YTM events is to empower young entrepreneurs aged 16-30 by providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and goods to a wider audience.
Competing to be Young Traders of The Year 2024
Participants will get a free pitch and gazebo at The Blue Market where they will be judged on the day by a panel of local stakeholders on their products, customer service skills, professionalism, and how they interacted with the other market traders.
The winners will progress to the regional final taking place on the 14th of July at the world-famous Portobello Market. Young Traders Market will take place on the first Saturday of the month from March to July.
- Young Traders Market dates in The Blue Market: 2nd March, 6th April, 4th May, 1st June and 6th July of 2024.
- The winners will progress to the regional final taking place on the 14th of July at the world-famous Portobello Market.
The winners of the regional finals will reach the YTM national final in Stratford-upon-Avon in August and compete to win the title of ‘Young Trader of the Year’.
Your support is important
Come and meet these young traders and show your support and discover new products and food. Find us at Market Place, Bermondsey, London SE16 3U
The Rainbow Phoenix
Alaina / 06 July
I’m the queer owner/operator of The Rainbow Phoenix. I’m just launching this business and am so excited to bring my vibrant and indulgent vegan baked goods to markets across London. A bit about me: I grew up on a farm in Indiana, USA, where I loved cooking and baking from a very young age. I decided to become vegan a couple years ago for moral and environmental reasons. When I lived in the USA, I specialized in providing legal services to low-income survivors of gender-based violence, but baking, cooking, and eating mindfully helped me feel calmer and grounded in times of stress. By the time my amazing partner Kevin and I moved to London a year ago for his job, I had admitted to myself that what I got up for in the morning was my time in the kitchen. With Kevin’s support, I made the extremely scary and difficult decision to follow my passion. I worked as a chef and front of house and now am excited to launch my own business.
LeasKrosha
Aliyah / 06 July
I am the creator of LeasKrosha where I sell handmade crochet clothing.I have always been a fan of fashion and clothes and could never seem to find the right fit hence why I started to make my own clothes and for others too.This being said,I hope to make many sales and see many wearing LeasKrosha soon.
Ken-sho
Ritu / 06 July
Kensho is a Japanese term which means seeing one’s true nature. For us, Kensho has been a journey to realize nature’s true potential as a sustainable printing method. We use real leaves to transfer their beautiful prints onto the fabric.
Started as a university project by a group of south asian students, Kensho relaunched after covid with each and every product carefully handcrafted keeping sustainability at core. Our aim is to create awareness about sustainability by making eco-conscious choices while also connecting people to nature.
Refresh Kits
Rebecca / 06 July
At Refresh Kits, our mission is clear and simple: to provide hygiene kits for students aged 11-16. These kits are carefully curated to include essential items such as wet wipes, deodorant, and other personal care products. Our goal is to relieve the financial stress that families endure and, in doing so, ensure that no student is subjected to hygiene shaming due to circumstances beyond their control.
Romeo Inc.
Romeo / 06 July
I am a 16 year old, 5 time award winning author of 9 books. I published my first book at the age of 7 and was nominated by the London Chamber of Commerce in their Black Excellence Awards for in the category Outstanding Contribution to Literature, alongside Literature Greats Professor David Olusoga OBE, Rapper and Activist Akala and Candace Brathwaite.
I’ve just finished my GCSE examinations and have been focused on selling my books at Pop Up markets and events over the summer. I have also just launched a Reading Campaign where me and my mum have hidden 100 of my books in my local Parks and Open spaces and I am encouraging people of all ages to Get Out & Read!
More in link here: https://www.londondaily.news/hackney-author-publisher-encourage-the-community-to-get-out-read/
Kaolin Kiln
Nora / 06 July
My name is Nora, the hands behind Kaolin Kiln. I started making polymer clay jewellery in 2019. Unable to find statement pieces I could afford on the high street I started to make my own, and the business grew from there.
Most of my inspiration comes from interior design, especially colourful retro shapes, and fashion design. I try to make a variety of styles so there’s something for everyone. Using polymer clay is a great medium as it’s so light you can wear very large pieces without it hurting your ears!
I wanted to bring in some of my Chinese background into the brand, so chose the name “Kaolin Kiln” [pronounced ‘cow-lyn kiln’] drawn from the Chinese word for a type of clay.
Zephyr Jewellery
Natalie / 01 June
Zephyr Jewellery creates bespoke, handmade jewellery from hand-picked sea-glass. Owner and designer Natalie forages sea glass from beaches across the country, repurposing multicoloured fragments into beautiful accessories. These are handcrafted into sustainable, recycled jewellery and placed onto chains ranging from Gold + Silver Plated to Sterling Silver + 14k Gold in an array of beautiful glass shades ?
Natalie is passionate about reducing beach pollution and this is one small step towards cleaner beaches! When she is not beach-combing, Natalie can be found in an array of different concert venues as a professional freelance classical singer. She is very much looking forward to taking part in this years competition!
Anoushka Griggs Art
Anoushka / 01 June
I am an emerging London-based artist predominantly utilising natural ink and acrylic with a diverse portfolio composed of monochrome human figures and vibrant abstract pieces.
I grew up with a passion for painting, taking inspiration from my grandmother who was an extremely talented artist and teacher. From a young age I would often work alongside her in her studio drawing “ladies” as she called them. Since then I have always had a fascination with anatomy which has led me to construct norm-breaking paintings that utilise negative space to capture figures in motion, dancing, and expressing themselves with freedom.
As I embark on my early career I hope to seek inspiration from all walks of life, as I translate movement, feeling and plays of light into my pieces
Custom Style Jewellery
Mohammed / 04 May
Welcome to Custom Style Jewellery, your destination for exquisite handcrafted jewellery that speaks to your unique style and story. Browse our curated collection of personalised pieces, meticulously crafted from the finest materials to elevate your everyday elegance. Discover the perfect adornment to express your individuality and celebrate life’s special moments with timeless beauty. Join us at The Blue Market and indulge in the artistry of self-expression”
Nation Dolls
Melfina / 04 May
Nation Dolls is a leading business dedicated to representation, inclusivity, and diversity. Our high-quality products cater to both girls and boys, aiming to empower children through diverse and inclusive doll options. We embrace the uniqueness of each individual, ensuring our dolls reflect a wide rangeof cultural backgrounds, physical features, and personalities. With a commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability, Nation Dolls invites you to join us in fostering a more inclusive world, where every child feels valued and represented
LS Jerk
Shanay / 04 May
LS JERK based in south London was voted the best jerk chicken in London by my London. At LS JERK We provide delicious Authentic Caribbean food with a twist that make your taste buds dance from the punchy tropical flavours only LS JERK are able to execute . At LS we have a natural juice line. Not only are our juices refreshing and tasty, Our juices are high in vitamins & Minerals with lots of health benefits. It is important to us for Jamaican cuisine to elevate with the times. We have worked on numerous community and corporate events and provide cooking classes with adults and youths to promote healthy eating whist cooking on a budget. LS JERK’s aim is to have something for everyone to enjoy from our Vegan Royal bites to our chickpea curry. If your a meat lover then LS JERK have you covered from our juicy jerk chicken to our melt in the mouth jerk pork complement by our home-made sauces its a taste bud explosion that will leave you with a taste you will always chase to remember.
Triple – B
Luxika / 06 April
For the longest time ever, baking has been my creative outlet and the happiness I get from seeing people’s faces light up after taking a bite out of our banana bread is unmatchable
Moúm Candles
Tanu / 06 April
We are Moúm Candles and we sell handmade moulded candles, using 100% natural soy wax, high-quality essential oils, vegan dye and unbleached cotton wick – making them 100% vegan, environmentally friendly and sustainable for the environment
Caprice-Kwai
Caprice Kwai / 06 April
My name is Caprice-Kwai, I am the founder and designer of By Caprice-Kwai – a luxury multi award-winning jewellery and accessory brand.
By Caprice-Kwai was inspired by my disability, because clothing wasn’t always accessible for me. So, I started wearing jewellery and accessories which made me feel empowered.
This is what led me to start making my own jewellery and clutch bags, where I now want to empower others and allow them to feel confident too.
By Caprice-Kwai is the epitome of inclusion and our motto is – “We create unique handmade statement pieces to make people from all walks of life feel empowered and confident despite – age, race, ability or gender
Crochet by Amy
Chia-ying Hsu / 06 April
Welcome to Crochets by Amy, home of adorable handmade crochet stuffed toys and decorations. My name is Amy, I started my small business during lock down and quickly got hooked on how versatile and creative crochet could be. My business flourished on Etsy, and then on my own website www.crochetsbyamy.com), where I offer my most popular plushies as well as creation of custom pieces for special occasions (I recently had the honour of creating replica dolls for a couple’s 10 year anniversary!).
I’m often touched by the reviews and messages I recieve from customers and would love to bring some of that joy offline, into the real world. Hope to see you all at Bermondsey Market soon!
Caff’s Deli
Ian / 2 March
Having started a new business and beginning to trade in 2024, I am excited to trade at the Young Traders’ Market, which is both an opportunity to showcase my product and to receive valuable feedback from those with industry experience. Initiatives like this really help young traders to develop their business and encourage people to start trading. As I have so much still to learn with regards to market trading, this market will be a great opportunity to assess my business and see how to improve it.
Pachamama
Stephanie / 2 March
The word Pachamama comes from Quechua, a language of one of the Native American indigenous peoples. The need to create Pachamama goes from connecting with my origins and the need to be able to reconnect with mother earth, which is the meaning of this word, which in turn symbolizes fertility and is the living spirit of the earth.
The Pachamama provides us with everything we need to heal our body and soul, this is my way of bringing love to the world and working with mother earth. Our small business is committed to the environment, our products are totally cruelty free, based on organic ingredients, and essential oils. Created with love and dedication.
Planet Pancakes
Marian / 2 March
We specialise in crafting original gluten-free Poffertjes, mini pancakes originating from the Netherlands.
We take pride in our commitment to using only the finest and well-known brands for our high-quality ingredients, and our dedication to cleanliness and customer service.
At Planet Pancake, dessert is more than just a meal; it’s an experience, a moment of joy, a memory in the making. Our goal? To share that happiness, one mini pancake at a time.
We are proud to serve the best Mini Pancakes in London!
Benji’s Portraits
Ben / 2 March / Winner of this event
I’ve been trading at markets for one year now, and I’ve found my true passion; combining my love for people, with my loves for innovating, painting and creating!
In the year since I left my day job and plunged all of my energy into Benji’s Portraits, I managed to get a permanent spot at a local gallery, completed my first mural, live painted at an event and got to the finals of last year’s young market traders campaign. It brings me so much joy to think up new ways to expand my business, and I’m thrilled to have been able to help a few others in the last year with theirs. I’d love to have the opportunity to get through to the final again, to see what a year of trading has taught me, and to catch up with the wonderful traders and organisers I met along the way last time!