Margate
Held in partnership with Thanet District Council, The Teenage Market in Margate has grown substantially over the last two years, celebrating the creativity of young entrepreneurs while strengthening community spirit and supporting the local economy.
Starting in 2024 with two markets in Margate, the Teenage Market saw over 60 young people aged 8–24 years take part, generating more than £6,000 in collective sales. Funded by Thanet’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Teenage Markets have become a cornerstone of youth engagement and community celebration — with 100% of traders reporting improved confidence and 97% developing new skills such as money management and marketing.
The first Margate event, held in July 2024, featured 13 stallholders who showed remarkable resilience in very windy weather, collectively earning £1,000. The second, held as part of the Mayor’s Big Christmas in Margate, built on this initial success, featuring 40 stallholders and 9 performers, the festive market created a vibrant atmosphere in the town centre and drew widespread community support , including from the Mayor of Margate and Polly Billington MP. Collectively, traders achieved over £5,000 in sales revenue.
The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the value of the opportunity to gain real-world experience and build confidence. Comments such as, “The experience was excellent, the organisers were super helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed it,” and “The event really helped my confidence in starting my own business. Thank you for this opportunity,” highlight the profound impact the market had on these aspiring entrepreneurs.
The event succeeded in drawing a large number of visitors to the town centre, boosting the local economy as a result. A local coffee shop, Curve, reported increased sales and visitors rated the event very highly.
There was a wave of praise for the young people on the day, with lots of positive comments posted across social media after the event. One parent commented that, “the Teenage Market offered an invaluable opportunity for my kids to develop business skills and gain confidence. They’re now eager to continue building their start-ups.”
“I love how kind everyone is and the positive atmosphere.”
“I loved the inclusion and overall welcoming atmosphere.”
“It was great to meet other young talents and gain performance experience.”
Building on this success, three Teenage Markets were planned for 2025, offering up to 120 stalls across three events the Thanet District with collective sales in excess of £12,000.
The first market took place in Ramsgate, featuring 27 individual stalls and generating collective sales of more than £3,000. The second market took place in Broadstairs where, despite challenging weather, the event featured 31 young stallholders offering everything from jewellery, printed T-shirts, crochet, artwork, and home-baked treats to 3D printing, dog chocolates, and guinea pig snacks! There were also 9 individual performance acts and a total of 58 young people involved showcasing their creativity, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit.
The sales on the day exceeded £3,500, but the real success lay in the supportive atmosphere — young traders visiting each other’s stalls and celebrating one another’s achievements. Participants shared their experiences:
A standout moment came from Cheyenne, a performer who has been part of the Teenage Market since its launch in July 2024. Scheduled to perform twice, she generously gave up her second slot to another young person who decided on the day to perform — a perfect reflection of the supportive spirit these events inspire.
The positive feedback from the events have highlights the real importance in making The Teenage Market in Margate a regular event in the town centre calendar. The role it plays in empowering young entrepreneurs, fostering community spirit, and supporting local businesses is clear to see.