Supporting Camden’s young market traders

On behalf of CDA and Hatton Garden BID, we were delighted to take part in the judging of Camden Council’s recent Young Traders Market competition, held at Earlham Street in July. Our Business Engagement Manager, Anjali Batra, was one of the panel judges for the competition on 29th June.

15 inspiring young traders participated, showcasing handcrafted accessories through to artisanal food and sustainable creations. There were four overall category winners and seven highly commended runners-up, who will all progress to the regional finals in Hackney this July – with a chance to reach the national finals over the August Bank Holiday in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Highlights included;

• Handmade clutch bags & sustainable hand-stitched leather items
• Freshly baked goods & artisan cheesecakes
• Japanese crochet pieces
• Fresh fruit mocktails and smoothies
• Sea glass jewellery & pearl accessories
• Soya wax candles & floral wax melts

Spotlight on the Winners

Georgiana – Scent & Bloom Collection

Founder of Scent & Bloom Collection, Georgiana crafts beautiful hand-poured candles and her signature flower-shaped wax melt bouquets. What began as a personal creative outlet has blossomed into a business aimed at bringing calm, joy, and elegance to everyday spaces.

“I’ve always loved the buzz of local markets—the community, the stories behind each stall, and the chance to connect directly with customers,” says Georgiana.

Aritz – AV Cheesecakes 

At just 19, Aritz Valtueña is taking London’s dessert scene by storm with his rich, locally sourced cheesecakes. Drawing on his experience in top kitchens, Aritz brings a chef’s precision and bold creativity to each indulgent creation.

His mission: to serve standout cheesecakes using 100% British ingredients.

Natalie – Zephyr Jewellery

Natalie transforms sea glass collected from the northeast coast into stunning, eco-conscious jewellery. Her one-of-a-kind pieces—necklaces, rings, earrings—are made from naturally weathered glass, repurposed with care and artistry.

Her work not only supports sustainability but also offers wearers a deep, grounded connection to nature.

Praj & Nisha – Fresh Fruit Mocktail & Juice Bar 

Following a downturn in their father’s transport business post-Covid, Praj and his sister Nisha reinvented one of his disused black cabs into a vibrant, open-top mocktail bar.

Now travelling to festivals and markets across the country, their creative stall serves up fruit juices and smoothies with a twist—blending traditional recipes with Indian spices for a unique, refreshing experience.

Cleo – Creative Crochet & Clothing 

At just 14, Cleo was the youngest trader at the event. Passionate about crafting, she creates charming crochet gifts and hand-sewn clothing, all from eco-friendly materials. After a standout debut at a Teenage Market event last year, she’s already growing her creative business.

Her designs are original, thoughtful, and sustainably made—reflecting a maturity well beyond her years.

Looking ahead

We wish all our young traders the very best in the next stages of the competition. Their talent, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit have already made a lasting impression.

A heartfelt thank-you to this year’s 15 participants, fellow judges and the dedicated team at Camden Council for organising such an inspiring event.

Please reach out to Anjali if you’d like to find out more.