Horsham town centre’s West Street and Bishopric area was the venue for the local heat of this year’s national Market Traders Federation (NMTF) Young Market Trader of the Year competition on Sunday 27 April.
The event this year marked the highest ever turnout of young competitors.
Residents, visitors and shoppers flocked to the town to support some 11 different talented young entrepreneurs vying for a place in the Southeast Regional Final at Broadway Market in Hackney, London on Sunday 13 July.
Open to all young fledgling traders under the age of 30, Horsham’s competition winner for 2025 was Garden to Jar who make chutneys, jams and preserves (Sarah Griffin). Those who were highly commended and will also go forward to the regional final were: Redamancy Art (Madison Varney), Simply Beads by Freya (Freya Herrett-Allen), Silver Hollow Jewellery (Daniel Scott), Mspwildlifeart (Megan Smylie-Page).
The competition was organised by local market operator Coden Events in association with the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) and supported by Horsham District Council.
The placings were determined by a panel of judges on the day including local renowned businessman John Bartlett, who traded for many years in the Carfax as Sussex Faire, Sam from Swans and Swifts, a regular Horsham West Street Market stall holder and Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Property Cllr Jonathan Taylor.
Horsham District Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Property Cllr Jonathan Taylor commented:
“I was both honoured and delighted to meet all the local young traders and be a judge for this amazing competition.
I was really impressed by the standards and talents of the young up-and-coming businesses, showcasing such a wide range of high-quality products at what was a wonderful trading opportunity for them.
“Thank you to everyone who came along to support them on the day and best of luck to those going through to the regional final.”
The competition is just one element of an ongoing campaign by Horsham District Council to attract and support new and younger traders at all of the District’s markets.
Anyone thinking of market trading in the District can find lots of helpful resources on the Council website.