Hovingham Village Market is launching its Young Enterprise Award to support young local entrepreneurs.
Successful applicants will be charged super-low rents for the first six months and given access to hands-on training and mentoring.
The scheme is linked to the National Market Traders Federation Young Traders Markets Campaign.
Young traders at Hovingham Village Market will also be encouraged to enter the
annual Young Trader Market competition, with the chance to become regional and
maybe even UK champions.
The Young Entrepreneurship Review published by the Princes Trust (now the Kings Trust) in 2021 found that while 53 per cent of 18 to 30-year olds in this country dream of setting up their own business, only eight per cent are actually self-employed.
The report identified three key barriers to young people realising their entrepreneurial ambitions – access to finance and support, confidence and expectation and access to networks.
Murray Stewart, Vice Chair of Hovingham Village Market said their aim was to encourage and support a new generation of local entrepreneurs – the traders
of tomorrow.
“Our Young Enterprise Award aims to reduce all three barriers, by providing financial support, practical guidance to build skills, and mentoring from more experienced traders.
“We know there are many young people out there with great business ideas. But it’s hard to get a toehold; set-up costs can be high, and the red tape can feel daunting.
“Our new scheme aims to take the pressure off, by giving young entrepreneurs a low-cost, low-risk route in.”
Rob Thompson, Hovingham Market Advisor said running a successful business was not just about money, it’s also about having
“Launching a new retail business is more than just a great product. It’s about
understanding your target market and communicating your offer with confidence and wit. It’s about selling yourself.
“As well as supporting young entrepreneurs, the scheme will benefit Hovingham Village Market in many ways, including recruiting new traders, attracting new customers and – last but not least – bringing in fresh ideas, products and ways of thinking.”
National Market Traders Federation CEO Joe Harrison said: “Markets are the ideal platform to test, develop and grow a new business to whatever ends the young traders’ aspirations and ultimate goals for their business are.
“Whether that be continuing on a market, moving into bricks and mortar retailing or wholesaling and manufacturing at a much greater level.”
The scheme is open to all young people aged 16-30, at July 1,2026, who live within 30 miles of Hovingham village (YO62 4LF).
It’s aimed at applicants who are actively involved in managing their stall, making key decisions on what to sell and how. are The market is also looking for new traders who will add to our existing rich mix of stalls. They may be making or growing their own product, or selling unusual items sourced from elsewhere.
They are especially interested in environmentally conscious products and in traders who are passionate about what they sell. In keeping with the Hovingham Village Market ethos, all products should be good quality and distinctive.
The chosen young traders will be asked to pay just £30 to attend their first three
markets – that’s a saving of £40 on the normal three-market price.
For markets four to six, they will pay £45; a further saving of £25. Where necessary, the market will also fund any Public Liability Insurance required for the first six months of trading.
After six months, they may choose to stay on as a regular trader, as part of the Hovingham Village Market ‘family’.
As well as financial support, the market will also provide practical guidance, drawing on its team’s many years’ experience, and one-on-one advice from other market traders.
A fuller description of the scheme can be found on the Hovingham Village
Market website, https://hovingham-market.org.uk/ or requested via email from Meg Abdy, themarket@hovingham.org.uk
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