On 24th February 2026, Old Spitalfields Market will hand over its historic trading floor to 49 teams of teenage entrepreneurs for a full-day live competition in partnership with Young Enterprise, the UK’s leading charity supporting young people in business.
Since Autumn, the students have been running their own companies, balancing product development, marketing and finance alongside their academic studies and for one day (24th February), they’ll trade alongside longstanding Old Spitalfields Market traders from 10am-3:30pm, putting their business acumen to the test in one of London’s most iconic market settings.
Customers of the market will be invited to spend their money at the stalls and buy products like they would with any other traders. The event will also be judged by former Apprentice contestant Mia Collins (an Alum of Young Enterprises’ Company Programme), alongside industry experts from Delta Air Lines, Wells Fargo and Amazon with prizes for Best Trade Stand, Best Customer Service, Best Social Impact and more.
The takeover comes at a time when entrepreneurship among young people is surging, with recent research suggesting 58% of young people are exploring entrepreneurship, with 35% already running side hustles – signalling a fundamental shift away from the traditional jobs market.¹
Sarah Porretta, Young Enterprise CEO: “Young people today are increasingly entrepreneurial. They’re ambitious, creative and hungry to build something of their own. But ambition alone isn’t enough, they need opportunities to turn that drive into something tangible. That’s exactly what this competition offers. Trading alongside professional market traders at one of London’s most iconic and historic markets gives these students something no classroom can – the experience, the problem-solving and the pride of running a real business for a real audience. We’re incredibly proud to continue to partner with Old Spitalfields Market on this initiative and we hope it inspires the next generation of business owners.”
Old Spitalfields Market, with its centuries-long association with independent traders and entrepreneurship, provides the perfect backdrop for the competition. The East London location remains a thriving hub for small businesses, and with SMEs currently employing around 60% of the UK workforce², Old Spitalfields Market are big believers in the power of small and championing young entrepreneurship.
Kristyna Svoboda, Marketing Specialist at Old Spitalfields Market: “Old Spitalfields Market has been a home for independent traders and entrepreneurs for centuries – it’s in our DNA. Seeing 49 teams of young people bring their businesses to life in this space, trading alongside our established market community, is exactly the kind of energy that keeps this place thriving. East London has always been a place where ambition meets opportunity, and we hope that by opening our doors to the next generation, we can play a small part in inspiring the entrepreneurs of the future.”
