20th February 2008
Students from Hilltop Special School in Maltby visited Morrison’s store this month to get expert advice on how to make their fruit and vegetable business blossom.
The pupils are taking part in the second phase of Rotherham Ready’s Make £5 Blossom project and with the help of their partner organisation, Parkgate Shopping, hope to turn their £150 loan into a tidy profit while picking up valuable enterprise skills along the way.
After meeting with Alan Lee, Assistant Deputy Store Manager at Morrisons Parkgate, the pupils have some fantastic new ideas for their fruit and vegetable business, named ‘Hilltop Blossoms’.
They have already developed branding for the business and are planning to launch a range of merchandise to accompany the fruit and vegetable selection that will be offered to friends, family and contacts at the school.
Alan Lee said,
“They showed real interest and enthusiasm, and we look forward to seeing the fruits of their labour.”
Hilltop Special School are now one of 26 schools across Rotherham taking part in this innovative scheme where local companies loan £150 to a class of eager pupils.
Working alone or as part of a team, it is then up to the youngsters to launch a business and turn a profit, dealing with the real life issues of marketing, budgeting and product design along the way.
Parkgate’s Operations Manager, Billy Smith is guiding the pupils along through their journey of launching a successful business and said,
“We are very impressed by the approach they are taking which will help them to understand how a business works and certainly boost their confidence.”
|
