Swansea city centre turned into a bustling marketplace today as hundreds of young people set up stall for the annual schools’ enterprise market.
Pupils from around 50 primary, secondary and further education settings took over Oxford Street, outside Y Storfa, to show off and sell a wide range of products they had made themselves.
Shoppers turned out in force, with strong footfall throughout the day and plenty of people walking away with a bargain.
The stalls were a riot of colour and hand-coloured bunting, with everything from painted pebbles and decorated eggs to scrunchies, wax melts and bath bombs on offer.
One Craigfelen Primary stall, trading as the “Craft Factory,” did a brisk turn in painted pebbles at £1.50 apiece.
Pupils from Morriston Primary — Ysgol Gynradd Treforys — sold decorated eggs, handmade photo frames and stress balls from a stall under an orange gazebo.
St Illtyd’s Catholic Primary School fronted a polished “Enterprise Project” stall of canvases, painted pebbles and cards, while Welsh-medium Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tan-y-Lan drew shoppers to its stall outside River Island.
Older students from Gower College Swansea were among the further education entrants, alongside a “Mystery Mix” stall of surprise bags and another team doing a roaring trade in “Teddy Twirl” scrunchies.
The event is part of the Swansea Schools Enterprise Challenge 2026, which gives pupils the chance to put business skills into practice — from designing products and handling money to talking to customers.
It is led by Alison Williams of Craigfelen Primary School, alongside Swansea Council’s careers and work-related experience team, with support from local firms through the Swansea Pledge.
Williams is a familiar name in Swansea education, having been awarded an MBE by Prince William for services to education and the community.
In the run-up to the market, businesses ran workshops, offered mentoring and gave pupils hands-on experience to build their confidence and open their eyes to future careers.
Cabinet member for education Robert Smith said it had been a great day for the city’s young people.
“It was fantastic that so many young people brought their ideas to life and engaged so confidently with the public,” he said.
“This event shows exactly what the Curriculum for Wales is aiming to achieve, helping our learners develop the skills they need for life and work.”
He added: “A big thank you to all the schools, staff and partners who helped make the day such a success.”
Teachers also gained from the project, with professional development aimed at embedding skills such as creativity, collaboration and problem-solving back in the classroom.
The market is a long-running fixture in the Swansea school calendar. When the event was held in 2022, some 40 schools and more than 1,000 children took part — that year in Castle Gardens, before this year’s move to Oxford Street.
With Castle Square itself currently dug up for its green makeover, Oxford Street made a fitting stage for the next generation of Swansea traders.
