Students at London Metropolitan University get entrepreneurial at an East End Christmas market.
Date: 15 December 2017
London Metropolitan University students and graduates had the opportunity to take part in the Christmas themed UpMarket this year.
UpMarket, which is held at the Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, sells everything from fashion, accessories, art, interiors, music to food and bakes; it is one of London's most exciting and imaginative markets, featuring many up and coming designers and artists. This year, London Met students and graduates were given a stall to run where they sold their own products, which they had designed and devised with the help of Accelerator, London Met’s business incubator. The initiative also welcomed recent London Met graduates to sell their items.
Natasha Triay, Student Enterprise Manager at London Met, said: “This is a great opportunity for students to not only test customer responses to their products, but it also gives them first-hand experience in running a business as they learn skills such as how to promote, how to speak to customers and how to use social media.
“It’s an ideal opportunity to undertake market research and they get to keep any profit they make. By participating in this event, students enhance their employability by developing their entrepreneurial skill set.”
The Accelerator offer this opportunity every year at the well-known Christmas market and this year students and graduates were able to sell items varying from candles, ceramic pots, coasters, jewellery, bath bombs, hot chocolate, tote bags and much more.
Over 200 stalls were trading at the market, with other stalls selling items such as arts, crafts, international cuisine, pieces by young edgy designers, a wide selection of vintage fashion and many creations by London based artisans.
“Doing the Christmas Market has been a great real world experience for me. I’ve received invaluable feedback to develop my products further and studying product design this has given me an edge to continue in my degree,” said Adam Watts, a Furniture and Product Design BA undergraduate.
If you are a London Met student or recent graduate and would like to get involved in next year’s Christmas market, please contact Natasha Triay or register your interest on the Accelerator website.
