The Cirencester Youth Market will be returning to the town’s Market Place for its third year this spring.

The event is organised by Cirencester Town Council and the E4 Group and aims to inspire and support the enterprising young people within Cirencester and the surrounding areas.

Among those present will be entrepreneurial students and graduates from the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester College’s Young Enterprise teams, and pupils from both Deer Park School and Kingshill School.

Deputy Head at Kingshill School, Trevor Lee said: “Pupils from Cirencester Kingshill School are very excited to be involved again this year in the Youth Market.

“They will be selling hand-crafted cakes and treats, and the school choir will be performing songs from this year’s production ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. All monies raised go to this year’s designated school charity.”

The first Youth Market was held back in 2016 and was one of the first in the country, and Becky Coles, Community Services Manager at Cirencester Town Council describes what the debut market was like.

She said: “It was a landmark experience for the town, bringing together wonderful young entrepreneurs and showcasing their innovative and unique businesses to the local community.

“Cirencester Town Council and Cirencester Markets jumped at the opportunity to work together, seeing it as a great way of working together with the towns secondary schools, college and university to the benefit of students.”

The market is open to entrepreneurs under the age of 30 from Cirencester and the surrounding areas to apply for a stall, and the council hopes the event will give young people hoping to begin a business vital experience and exposure for their products.

“The event aims to inspire young people to set up their own business and gives local students the opportunity to sell products they’ve made or designed,” continued Becky.

“The market also provides opportunity to demonstrate sales techniques and practice customer service, while learning merchandising and presentation skills as many of the young people experience their first ever public trading at such an event.”

“There will also be prizes awarded for ‘Best Stand’ and ‘Most Sustainable Business’ and the winners are considered by a panel of judges, including the Mayor of Cirencester.

“The winner of the Most Sustainable Businesses is awarded the prize of 6 months trading at the town’s Charter Markets, and previous winners have also been invited and attended the National Youth Market.”

With live performances set to entertain visitors throughout the day, the market is becoming a popular event in the annual Cirencester calendar.

Becky added: “In the past we have had live performances from The Deer Park Steel Band, Kingshill Ukulele Players and Cirencester College Performing Arts Students.

“The market continues to grow in popularity but has always been well supported by the local community.”

The market will take place on Wednesday 20th March from 10.30am to 2.30pm at The Market Place in Cirencester.