Free market stalls and a grant to get started
Free market stalls and a grant to get started
Are you 16 to 30 and ready to trade? Thanks to the North Essex Economic Board and the NMTF you can get your business in front of real customers with a free market stall!
Whether you’re making candles, clothing, street food or smart tech, we’re here to back your big idea. As part of our partnership with the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF), the North Essex Economic Board is offering young entrepreneurs:
- A free stall at your local market
- £200 in seed funding to get you started
- A chance to compete in the NMTF Young Market Trader of the Year Awards
No experience needed — just your energy, creativity and drive.
What are the NMTF Young Market Trader Awards?
The Young Traders Market campaign, run by the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF), is a nationwide initiative that celebrates and supports the next generation of market traders across the UK and Northern Ireland.
Aimed at entrepreneurs aged 16 to 30, the campaign encourages young people to trade in their local markets, building experience, confidence, and business skills. Successful traders from these local events are selected to compete in 10 regional finals, with the best progressing to the Grand Final held over the August bank holiday weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The goal? To crown the UK’s Young Market Trader of the Year.
Prizes and Opportunities
The overall winner will receive:
£700 cash prize
A pop-up retail unit in a shopping centre, courtesy of Space & People
A Pedddle membership
Free NMTF membership for one year
Plus, monetary prizes for category winners
Participating Markets
Participants can choose from the following markets/dates for their free stall.
Braintree
Street Market traders are located within Great Square, sweeping along the High Street and New Street and up into Bank Street.
28th June
9am – 5.30pm
https://www.facebook.com/braintreemarkets
The Maltings, Dunmow
Great Dunmow, Dunmow CM6 1BY
28th June
10am – 3pm
Makers at the Maltings Market. A great chance for all small businesses to showcase their creations/products.
https://www.instagram.com/greatdunmowmaltings/
Waltham Abbey
Market Square, Waltham Abbey EN9 1DG
5th July
9am – 3pm
Waltham Abbey Market has been serving the community of Waltham Abbey for hundreds of years. Richard I granted a Charter for the Tuesday market in 1189.
Please note: Pitches are 3 x 3m. Tables will not be provided, so stall holders will be required to bring their own.
To apply for your free market stall and seed funding grant please fill in the form below
Please note to access this support you must be based in the districts of Braintree, Colchester, Chelmsford, Epping Forest, Maldon, Tendring or Uttlesford