Pupils’ shops profit retail careers

Teenagers love shopping, but these youngsters have taken this passion to the next level running their own shops in Christchurch and Poole.

Eighty students from four secondary schools across the conurbation have opened stores in Saxon Square and next to the Dolphin Centre, which they are running by themselves as professional businesses.

Stock control, visual merchandising and managerial duties – these City and Guilds Level 2 Retail students want to give their customers a quality service and also make a profit at the end of their two-week stint.

Called the School Retail Group, the students come from Ashdown Technology College, Glenmoor, Twynham and Ferndown Upper.

Dr Terry Fish, headteacher at Twynham, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the students. We are indebted to the School Retail Group because the students will benefit so much.”

Liz Jones, headteacher at Ashdown, agrees: “I’m delighted that our students have this amazing opportunity.  This is a very real work experience and brings the subject to life for them.”

The Beales Group, Saxon Square and The Dolphin Centre, as well as retailers Stewarts, Mountain Warehouse, Living 4 Less and Haskins have helped the students behind-the-scenes with training and stock supplies to get them to this stage.

The youngsters are now in charge.

Beales chief executive, Tony Brown, said: “We’re privileged to be working with these students. I hope the opportunity to put theory into practice will inspire them to consider the exciting world of retail as their first career choice.”

Christchurch retail students at their Saxon Square store.