News

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May 10th, 2013 - Christchurch Food Festival: The Bay Tree interview with chef and author, Dale Pinnock
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May 8th, 2013 - Join The Big Lunch at Saxon Square Shopping Centre - free fun for the whole community
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April 3rd, 2013 - Saxon Square Shopping Centre spreads Easter Egg-citement in Christchurch
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February 6th, 2013 - Happy Valentine's Day at Scissors
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January 8th, 2013 - Nutrition talks at The Bay Tree
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November 27th, 2012 - Homeware boutique Latimer House opens at the Centre
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November 20th, 2012 - Santa Claus is coming to town!
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November 19th, 2012 - Enjoy fabulous free parking this Christmas!
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September 20th, 2012 - Dr Hauschka Skincare Open Day at The Bay Tree Health Store
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August 1st, 2012 - Boots Introduce Revamped No7 Counter
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August 1st, 2012 - Meet One Direction with Claire’s at Saxon Square!
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July 4th, 2012 - Local scout group receives boost for new premises
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March 29th, 2012 - Your chance to win a £100 sponsorship deal for your community group!
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January 9th, 2012 - Santa picked one lucky winner this Christmas!
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December 7th, 2011 - Santa is coming to Saxon Square
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December 7th, 2011 - Take it Easy Tuesday
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December 7th, 2011 - The Bay Tree News
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November 17th, 2011 - Saxon Square Shopping Centre welcomes Scissors salon!
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November 16th, 2011 - Christmas has arrived with our Christmas craft fair
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July 11th, 2011 - How to make the perfect ice-cream sundae
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July 4th, 2011 - Pupils pop-up for some practical experience in retail
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May 31st, 2011 - Saxon Square Shopping Centre limbers up for free yoga event
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November 18th, 2010 - Scene set for Santa at Christchurch Christmas Festival
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October 13th, 2010 - Saxon Square Shopping Centre keeps nurses sweet with chocolate delivery
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October 6th, 2010 - New Holland & Barrett store brings healthy approach to Christchurch
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September 30th, 2010 - Beat those winter blues with our top tips
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August 28th, 2010 - Summer Festival at Saxon Square
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August 11th, 2010 - Caffé Nero comes to Saxon Square Shopping Centre
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July 12th, 2010 - School pupils open up for business at Saxon Square Shopping Centre
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June 27th, 2010 - Local Community Share their Stories with Saxon Square Shopping Centre
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May 24th, 2010 - Holiday advice: Travelling with Children
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May 3rd, 2010 - What's your Story?
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April 2nd, 2010 - Saxon Square Shoppers kick off Easter Holidays
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School pupils open up for business at Saxon Square Shopping Centre

July 12th, 2010

Singer Lily Allen may be the latest celeb to open a clothing boutique, but she’s got nothing on local pupils who opened their doors to customers yesterday. ??

A group of 25 Year 10 pupils from both Twynham and Glenmoor schools opened their store at Saxon Square Shopping Centre in an exciting project to mark the final part of the first year of their Level 2 Certificate in Retail course. The store was officially opened by the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr. Nick Geary.

The pupils have spent the last 10 months researching the retail market, which has involved mystery shopping, sales techniques and research into customer service. The pupils have also been busy collecting donated stock from local retailers including Regatta, Craghopper and Cherish in Boscombe who have kindly donated towards the school’s practical initiative. ??

Working with retail experts from Retail Skillshop Dorset, Steph & Co and Bournemouth and Poole College, the pupils have created the brand SRG, Schools Retail Group which included creating the logo  taking tips from retail Queen Mary Portas, and planned the interior design and layout of the store to maximise sales. ??Twynham School pupil Aaron Winter, 15 said: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge. We’ve learnt loads over the last year, and I can’t wait to put it all in to practice.”

The exercise builds on last year’s success which saw the group take over £900. Twynham School’s Vocational Learning Manager Jane Hopkins, explains how she hopes to grow the course again next year:??“The success of the course is growing, with more schools becoming interested in taking part in the annual project.

The students are learning about the basic business model and are keen to ensure they earn enough next week so that the money can be re-invested to develop the store for the future,” Said Ms Hopkins.??Mandy Payne, Retail SkillShop co-ordinator said of the project, “Throughout the year, the pupils follow a retail process which is a true reflection of the retail environment.

Each student is interviewed and allocated a role within the group, from visual merchandising to customer service. We work directly with local employers, such as Oswald Bailey and those from Saxon Square, to ensure that they gain a practical and realistic vocational experience.” ??You can visit the store which is located opposite Co-Operative in Saxon Square Shopping Centre until Friday 16th July.