Young people across the Bradford district are getting hands-on experience as traders by opening a new festive shop in the run-up to Christmas – and there is still space for more budding entrepreneurs to join them.

The project, called Youthful Creations, opened for business on Saturday with the aim of helping young people develop personal, social and financial skills by supporting them in setting up their own market stall businesses.

The idea is for them to get experience of running a real-life market stall, where they can sell their products and work alongside local retailers.

Young entrepreneurs at the weekend were getting set for a brisk trade selling novelties, gifts and festive cards, while others were planning to do henna design, face painting, make-up, hair plaiting and braiding.

The project is in a shop on the outside of the Oastler Centre by a branch of Yorkshire Building Society and will open every Saturday until the Christmas holiday.

Places are still available if young people want to take part aged from as young as five up to 19 or anyone with a disability can be up to 25.

Youngsters aged under 13 must be accompanied by an adult and stalls are limited to two young people if those people are aged 13 or over, or two young people and one responsible adult if they are under 13.

Each stall costs £5 to book for one full Saturday’s trading, a table is provided and so is electricity – anything else traders will need to bring themselves or call (01274) 385909 to find out more about how to take part.

Funding has come from the Youth Opportunities Fund and the initiative involves young people and teams from Bradford Council’s Markets Service, Youth Service and Children’s Services.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Dale Smith, officially opened the project on Saturday to coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week and the start of one of the busiest times of the retail year.

Councillor Smith, said: “Youthful Creations is a really exciting project.

“It gives young people an opportunity to learn new skills, and will add to what’s on offer for Bradford shoppers in the run-up to Christmas.”

Kath Tunstall, Council strategic director of children’s services, said: “It’s important to offer diverse ways in which young people can learn.”