Young talent transforms Teanlowe Shopping Centre
On Saturday 7th February, Poulton’s Teanlowe Shopping Centre came alive with the energy, imagination and entrepreneurial spirit of local young people as The Teenage Market popped up to showcase youth-led creativity and enterprise in the heart of the town.
Delivered by Place For Youth CIC in partnership with Wyre Council, Booths Supermarket and the Teanlowe Shopping Centre, the event marked an inspiring celebration of young talent — and a powerful reminder of the role young people can play in animating local high streets.
🛍️ Young Traders, Real Success
The Poulton Teenage Market welcomed 22 young entrepreneurs across 13 stalls, each selling their own handmade products — from creative gifts and accessories to unique craft items created with passion and personality. Over 600 products were sold, generating more than £2,000 in collective income — a brilliant achievement for the young traders involved.
Young people who took part spoke enthusiastically about the experience with eleven-year-old Ava describing the day as a “great opportunity”, and 14-year-old Claudia commented on how “friendly and supportive the customers were”, highlighting how the event boosted both confidence and practical business skills.
✨ Special Moments & Growth
A standout highlight of the day was the launch of a new candle business by students from Blackpool Sixth Form College. Supported with a small business grant from Place For Youth, the team was able to experiment with designs and raw materials, selling out entirely on the day and earning over £300 — money they’re now investing back into their business to grow their range.
One of the student founders, 17 year-old Shrika Waghilkar, shared how the grant had “removed a major cost barrier” and helped build confidence as they expanded their skills and creativity.
The market also welcomed Year 7 students from Montgomery Academy, who attended as part of their school’s Passion Project programme. Teachers from the academy highlighted the event as an invaluable learning experience — not just for making sales, but for understanding business processes, communicating with customers and building self-belief in a supportive environment.
“The Teenage Market was an amazing experience for our Year 7 students. The day was brilliantly run and gave the students a massive confidence boost. Watching them transition from the initial product design phase to active negotiation and sales with real customers was impressive to see. We would definitely like to participate in more of these events.”
- Faye Burrows, Montgomery Academy
🤝 Community Impact & Support
Feedback wasn’t just positive among the traders — shoppers, local businesses and centre visitors all praised the vibrant atmosphere and the fresh energy young people brought to the space. The event clearly demonstrated how youth-led activity can animate public spaces and create meaningful opportunities on town high streets.
Andrea George, Chair of Place For Youth CIC, spoke passionately about the impact of the event:
“The success of the Teenage Market in Poulton shows what’s possible when young people are given the right space and support to shine… Seeing young people take real ownership of their ideas, build confidence, and make meaningful income from their creativity is exactly the kind of opportunity we exist to deliver.”
Councillor Peter Le-Marinel (Portfolio Holder for Planning Policy & Economic Development at Wyre Council) also highlighted how events like this equip young people with real-world skills and experience for the future:
"Seeing so many talented young people take the leap into trading at the Poulton Teenage Market has been fantastic. Events like this are incredibly important for nurturing confidence, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, giving young traders the chance to test their ideas, meet customers and build real‑world experience in a supportive environment.
Nic Karran, Chief Commercial Officer at Booths, also praised the initiative and said it was fantastic to see such a vibrant and successful event, wishing all the young entrepreneurs the best as they continue their journeys.
🌟 What’s Next?
Building on the success in Poulton, The Teenage Market is preparing to deliver further youth-led activity across Wyre at the next market in Garstang on Saturday 21st February — and plans for further events that continue to empower young people, strengthen community connections and bring creativity to town centres across the region are currently being discussed.
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