Student market’s a piece of cake!

Photo: Tim Bradley

Eric Bishykia (front) on his T-shirt stall with Bradley Duffy, Elliot Hawkins and Jack Phillips.

HOW does a great big slab of sticky treacle cake sound?

I can tell you: it was incredible - and one of the few fine bakes 16-year-old Daniel Arundel had on offer at his stall in Oldham’s first Oldham student market on Saturday.

Daniel was one of several crafty youngsters out to make extra money and contacts at Oldham’s Hilton Arcade.

Students were offered a free pitch to sell products ranging from home-made jewellery to cushions, cards and clothes.

The event, devised by the O Project — a programme to improve the town centre for young people — was organised by Oldham College students Luke Astill-Boardman and Junaid Aurangzeb, with help from Oldham Council and Oldham College’s Peter Jones Enterprise Academy.

Daniel, of North Chadderton School, had sold half of his cakes by the time time the Chronicle photographer got there!

“I’ve been up since 4am making it all,” he laughed. “When I turned 16 I tried to get a job and I heard about these markets so thought I’d have a go.”

At his clothes stall, Oasis Academy pupil Eric Bishyika, sold three T-shirts within minutes of opening.

Eric is even in the process of setting up his own charity to give other youngsters the funding they need to become entrepreneurs.

Illustration student Stef Maden (20) had travelled from Central Lancashire University to sell her cushions, bookmarks and jewellery.

“When I heard about the markets on Facebook I thought it would be a good idea for me – it’s mostly students who buy the things I make,” she said.