Lincoln
In Lincoln, The Teenage Market created a free and supportive platform for young people from across Lincolnshire to trade, perform, test creative ideas and build confidence in the heart of the city.
🎪 Creative trading
The first Teenage Market in Lincoln was held outside The Cornhill Market in partnership with City of Lincoln Council, giving 15 young people from across Lincolnshire the chance to trade for free in the heart of the city.
Young traders showcased a wide range of creative products, handmade items, artwork and business ideas. The event created a lively and welcoming retail environment where young people could take their first steps into enterprise, speak directly to customers and test their ideas in a real-world setting.
Collectively, young traders generated more than £1,600 at the first event, while the response from those taking part was extremely positive, with traders giving the experience an average rating of 4.8 out of 5.
“The atmosphere was amazing.”
🎤 City-centre energy
Alongside the young traders, the event featured live performances from young bands and local theatre groups, helping to create a buzzing atmosphere in the city centre. Visitors also enjoyed a free climbing wall, which was in constant use throughout the day.
Free DJ workshops from Noise Academy and art workshops from ARTventurers Limited added to the sense of creativity and activity. This mix of trading, performance and hands-on experiences helped turn the market into more than a retail event.
It became a space for young people to be visible, creative and active in the public life of the city. Young traders and visitors highlighted the friendly, welcoming atmosphere, with several commenting on the live music, DJ activity, climbing wall and supportive organisers.
🏆 Major milestone
Lincoln went on to host a landmark moment for The Teenage Market when The Cornhill Market became the setting for the 500th Teenage Market event on Small Business Saturday.
The milestone event brought together 15 young people from across Lincolnshire to showcase their creative talents, with stalls filled with handmade products, artwork and original ideas. Collectively, young traders earned over £1,200, supported by strong footfall and enthusiastic engagement from the local community.
Reaching the 500th Teenage Market in Lincoln was a powerful reflection of how far the initiative has grown since launching in 2012. What began as a simple idea has become a national movement, giving thousands of young people a free, supportive platform to test ideas, build confidence and explore creative enterprise.
✨ Confidence boost
The impact of The Teenage Market in Lincoln went beyond income. For many of the young people involved, the events offered a safe first step into entrepreneurship, helping them build communication skills, confidence and pride in their work.
One particularly special moment came from 10-year-old Sofia, who took part as a trader selling beautifully crafted wooden fairy houses. Sofia had first visited a Teenage Market in Lincoln earlier in the year and was inspired to get involved herself.
Seeing that inspiration turn into action captured the heart of The Teenage Market: planting seeds, building belief and helping young people realise that their ideas matter.
🤝 Local partnership
The Lincoln events were made possible through strong local partnership and a shared commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people. Place for Youth worked with City of Lincoln Council, The Cornhill Market team, local creative organisations and wellbeing partners to create events that were welcoming, accessible and full of energy.
The events also brought together creativity, wellbeing and community support. ARTventurers delivered interactive arts activities for families and young people, while Kooth Digital Health used the platform to raise awareness around young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Following the success of the first event, the next Teenage Market attracted nearly 20 young trader applications, demonstrating the demand for free, low-risk opportunities that help young people build small businesses, showcase creativity and grow confidence.
Lincoln’s Teenage Market events show how young people can bring creativity, enterprise and new energy into the heart of a city when they are given the space, trust and support to lead.