The Market aims to create enterprising opportunities for the city’s future generation giving budding traders and business owners the chance to trial their entrepreneurial ideas in a realistic and supportive environment.
Such has been the rapid growth of the Market’s profile that it wasn’t just customers who were drawn to the colourful stalls. The team from BBC Radio Lincolnshire, led by presenter Amy Claridge, also came down to sample the delights on offer and interview the people behind the stalls.
Many of the stallholders are BGU students including Owen Lewis, currently studying Business (Team Entrepreneurship), who runs vintage and collectibles business Apple Strudel. Having been previously involved in the organisation of the Market for over year, including stints as BGU mascot Lenny the Lion, Owen decided to take the next step and open his own business 5 months ago:
“The opportunities offered by the Market made it the perfect place for me to launch my own business. The team behind it are so supportive and through it I’ve not only been able to make good business connections but also good friends.”
Beth Robinson, also a Business TE student at BGU, runs a stall dedicated to upcycling. Beth has been involved with Teenage Market for two years as a part of her course and although she originally worked on stalls as a part of larger teams she is now forging her own path:
“The Teenage Market is a great way to gain selling experience in a stress free environment. I really enjoy being a part of it and am gaining lots of valuable experience to build back into my course”
In addition to providing a space for budding business owners the market also offers platforms to aspiring performers. On this occasion visitors were treated to the musical skills of Bobbie Brader who is currently in her second year of Drama at BGU:
“I’ve been involved in music from a young age and have been busking for the last few years. Performing at the market is a lot of fun, the team are really helpful and it’s great to be able to gain experience performing in front of people”
Becky Goodman, Enterprise Development Manager at BG Futures, explained why the Lincoln Teenage Market was such an important initiative:
“The Teenage Market provides a free opportunity for people to start their own business. Encouraging enterprise within the local community is a core value at BGU and a Market is a key tool in helping us achieve that. It’s fantastic to see it having such a positive and inspiring impact”
The next Lincoln Teenage Market will be taking place on the 13th of October. If you’d like to find out more information or perhaps get involved as a trader or performer at the next event, please contact the Teenage Market team at: teenagemarket@bishopg.ac.uk.
You can also follow Lincoln Teenage Market on Facebook.