Young traders are showcasing their enterprise skills today for Small Business Saturday.

Secondary school and college students from across Sussex will be setting up trade stand and selling their products at Horsham market.

The market is in the Carfax and is organised by Food Rocks and supported by Horsham District Council.

The trade fair will include a competition where the student companies will be assessed by a ream of judges on the quality and uniqueness of their product, appearance of their stand, knowledge of their business and customer service skills.

“I am so pleased that Horsham will again be hosting the December Trade Fair for this fantastic programme, supporting valuable employability and business skills development in our local young people,” said Councillor Jonathan Chowen, leader of Horsham District Council.

“Trading at markets is always such a brilliant opportunity to gain face-to-face feedback on a product or service and I hope lots of people pay a visit to the trade fair on December 3, to support the students’ journeys and support Small Business Saturday in general.”

The fair is part of Young Enterprise, a national charity that supports young people getting into the changing world of work by teaching them key skills.

Every year, Horsham hosts the December trade fair at one of their Carfax weekly markets and the event playing an important role in the students’ journeys before they move onto the next phase of the year-long programme.

In previous years, students have created a range of unique products such as sustainable pet toys, personalised gifts and cookbooks inspired by local hospitality businesses.

 Michael Anderson, Young Enterprise’s regional manager for the South East said: “We have been working with Horsham Markets for a number of years now and it is always brilliant to see the student companies trading alongside real, professional traders, honing their sales techniques along the way and hopefully – although not always – turning a profit by the end of the day.”

"We’re grateful to Horsham Markets for the continued support.”

The market is in the Carfax in Horsham today and starts at 9am.