Young entrepreneurs ready to set up shop

Young entrepreneurs are hoping to turn their design ideas into profit with a pop-up store.

Pupils from Ash Grove Academy will be at The Grosvenor Centre on July 15 and 16 with a variety of  creations to tempt shoppers, including herb pots and loom band balls, tie-dye T-shirts and bedding, plus biscuits and sweets.

The profits will go to school funds, with a contest to see which class can raise the most money.

Ash Grove Academy principal Heather Jackson said: “We run enterprise sessions, and each class has £20 from school funds to invest. They use the money to buy materials to create their own designs. In the past they have made Christmas gifts and decorations, which have been very popular at school fairs.

“We wanted to do something in summer, and to go outside the school, so we approached the centre to see if we could set up our own mini-shop selling the children’s designs.

“All the gifts are handmade so I am hoping they will be very popular. The class that makes the most money on the day get to keep the profits to buy boardgames for wet playtimes or to put towards a school trip. The rest of the money raised by the other classes goes back into school funds.

“We are very grateful to the Grosvenor Centre by supporting the school in this way.”

Grosvenor shopping centre manager Ed Kennedy took time out to visit the school in Belgrave Road to see the children making crafts ready to put on sale.

He said: “I am very impressed by the quality of the work and I know that our shoppers will be very keen to buy these gifts.

“This enterprise club is a great way to help the children understand  the principles of business and help them put design,  technology and maths skills into everyday use.”

The school’s reception classes will be selling truffles, named beaded key-rings and coconut ice, the infants gingerbread men and bears plus worry dolls, while the junior classes are producing  themed play dough, tie-dye T shirts and bedding, stress balls, tea light jars, herb pots, loom band bouncy balls, willow hearts and a donut challenge.

Image: Grosvenor Centre manager Ed Kennedy lands a helping hand to Ash Grove School pupils Freddie,  Lara,  Ashleigh,  Michael,  Summer, with class teacher Mr Hallam