WARRINGTON based Micro-brewery Modern Day Monks has been crowned the region’s Young Traders of the Year for 2019.
The Warrington-based duo will now battle it out with other finalists from across the UK in the national final for a chance to win the coveted Young Traders of the Year title.
More than 25 budding businesses, which had each won a place from various local heats across the North West, came together in Warrington, last Saturday (Aug 3), to showcase their business to around 4,000 people at the regional final of the Young Traders Market.
The event, which was hosted by the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF), in partnership with Warrington Market, saw 13 finalists compete to secure a place in the final.
Ten of the final 13 traders came from last month’s Warrington heat, giving the borough a great chance at retaining the Young Trader of the Year crown, after it was won last year by Warrington Market’s own greengrocer, Rob Leicester.
Other Warrington businesses to move forward in the contest include Sustainable Living, a category winner on the day, The Botanical Boutique and Warrington Market’s own Zack’s Pet Stop.
Warrrington Borough Council Leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, judged the traders on the day, alongside Harriett Roberts from Warrington BID, and they were blown away by the talent on display. He said: “It was a pleasure to judge so many talented young traders from across the North West this weekend. The Young Traders Market is a great initiative and we’re very proud to have so many people from Warrington through to the national final.
“We are investing in the future of our town centre with the multi-million pound Time Square development, including a brand new indoor market, which will provide opportunities for young traders and independent retailers to grow their businesses in Warrington. I’d like to wish all of the finalists the best of luck in the next stage of the competition and hopefully it will be another local trader taking home the title.”
Joe Harrison, Chief Executive of the NMTF said: “We had a fantastic day in Warrington and the market management did us proud. We were delighted with the layout and all the young traders enjoyed themselves – as well as taking a few bob on the day.
“For the National Young Traders Market to succeed it needs the full support of market operators and on Saturday this was there in abundance. We wish all the North West young traders who have got through to the national final the best of luck. I’m always amazed at these events that the professionalism and expertise of these young people are at such a high level.”
The Grand Final of the Young Traders Market takes place in Stratford-upon-Avon on 30 and 31 August.
Modern Day Monks Jon & Jim
