Residents, visitors and shoppers are invited to come and support talented young entrepreneurs who will be competing to be 2026’s national Young Market Trader of the Year in Horsham town centre on Sunday 28 June from 10am to 4pm.
Competitors will be setting out their stalls at Horsham’s West Street market for the local heat of the national Young Traders Market competition, organised by local market operator Coden Events in association with the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) and supported by Horsham District Council.
Open to all young fledgling traders under the age of 30, Horsham’s competition winner will be determined by a panel of judges on the day. Judges will include Ben Morris, Editor of All About Horsham Magazine and regular Horsham West Street stall holders Holmbush Flowers and Karen Breakspear, all passionate enthusiasts for local markets and independent businesses.
From handmade jewellery, bespoke woodwork and nature inspired art to chutney and jams, the event is expected to welcome a variety of young traders competing to be the winner of this local heat. The winner will then have the sought after opportunity to progress to the London and Southeast Regional Final in Greenwich, London on Saturday 18 July 2026, with the goal of reaching the National Final over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.
Horsham District Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Property, Cllr Jonathan Taylor, commented:
“I am delighted that Horsham will again be welcoming lots of talented young entrepreneurs at our town centre markets for the fourth year running.
"This is a great opportunity for young people to sell directly to customers and hone their business skills, alongside experienced traders at our markets.
"Please do come along and visit this vibrant local event and support all those involved in this nationally recognised competition.”
Zac Coden of Coden Events commented:
“Coden Events are pleased to be involved in organising and providing equipment for the Horsham NMTF Young Traders' Market this year.
“The market will be held alongside our regular monthly Arts and Crafts market, and we will also have entertainment on the day.
“Come and support the young market traders and see the future of markets.”
Young traders signed up so far include Garden to Jar, Silver Hollow Jewellery, MSP Wildlife Art, Faithful Creations, ACA publishing, E H Woodwork and Sophie’s Pens.
Horsham’s regular last Sunday of the month West Street Arts and Crafts Market will operate alongside the young traders’ competition market stalls to create a lively trading atmosphere and Horsham’s Carfax will be holding a celebratory event for Armed Forces Day, set to bring lots of visitors to the town centre.
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 and on the day of the event there will be a ‘drop-in’ stall providing advice and information in person.
Young business owners who are interested in taking part can sign up using the online application form:
https://www.codenevents.co.uk/west-street-entrepreneurs-markets/nmtf-young-traders-market/
Find out more about Horsham District’s markets on the Council’s website:
https://www.horsham.gov.uk/business/district-markets