News

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May 23rd, 2013 - Saxon Square shop owner nominated for prestigious business award
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May 23rd, 2013 - Saxon Square Shopping Centre gets creative
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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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Pupils pop-up for some practical experience in retail

July 4th, 2011

Local businesses from across Dorset have joined forces to provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs to gain valuable vocational experience in setting up a retail business for profit.

Five Dorset businesses, including Beales of Poole, Mountain Warehouse and Haskins, have supported 80 pupils from Ashdown Technology College, Glenmoor, Twynham and Ferndown Upper schools to open a pop-up stores at Saxon Square Shopping Centre and the Dolphin Centre in Poole to mark the final part of their City and Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Retail Skills.

The current retail trend for pop-up stores is an innovative sales tactic that brands, including Marmite and Clarks, have adopted to create a buzz around a new product or brand. The group of students, who have created the brand Schools Retail Group, have used this approach as a cost-effective technique for a ten-day period to maximise sales.

Earlier this year* it was reported that 938,000 16 – 24 year olds in England are currently not in education, work or training, with this expected to rise by a further 23 percent to 1.2million over the next five years**. This information, combined with recent news of further high street closures, demonstrates that vocational initiatives are a pivotal part in inspiring the next generation of business leaders.

In the run up to the launch, the pupils researched the retail market, customer service and sales techniques, and as a result opened their store. The project brings to life the skills they learn in the classroom, such as marketing, branding and profit.

To stock the store, pupils approached independent and national retailers from across Dorset to donate products to the store. The process is akin to that of starting a business from scratch. It involved interviewing for the job, taking on a role and having the pressure of making a profit.

Saxon Square Shopping Centre has been a partner in this project for three years. Centre Manager, Bryan Taylor, explains how working with the young people is an important asset to local businesses: “What is most interesting about this project is that the pupils follow a process which is a true reflection of the retail environment.

“Through working closely with local businesses, such as those based at the Centre, the students receive honest and practical experience, and local businesses can share their knowledge to nurture young entrepreneurial spirit.

“It’s a fantastic initiative and we look forward to seeing fresh retail talent coming through this project.”

Tony Brown, Chief Executive of Beales, 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.”

Rob Palmer, Assistant Head Teacher at Twynham School commented on how it is imperative that young people learn practical skills to reduce this skills gap: “Through this project, we are keen to ensure that the students learn about basic business models, and gain an understanding of profit and reinvestment.

As we continue to see a struggle on the high street, it is important for vocational and practical courses like City and Guilds to continue to encourage young people to go into the retail profession.”

 

Ends.

Notes to Editors
*Department for Education, NEETS stats Quarterly Brief, published 24.02.11
** Report produced by thinktank Demos in February 2011