BUDDING young business entrepreneurs from Redditch, Bromsgrove and Droitwich are set to take part in a spring trade fair, pitching their products to the public at Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold.

The event, which is taking place on Saturday, March 8 from 10am to 4pm, will see more than 12 young enterprise companies representing schools throughout the county, setting up their pitches and putting their retail skills to the test, as part of the Company Programme.

Julia Neale, young enterprise manager for the area, said: “Naturally all the students participating are hoping to sell as much as they can but the objectives behind Young Enterprise are much broader than financial success. It’s really about equipping our young people with transferable skills that will be useful to them in later life.”

Students aged between 15 and 19 from Bromsgrove School, North Bromsgrove High School, South Bromsgrove High School, St Augustine’s High School, and Droitwich Spa High School, have been forming their own businesses, and then developing and marketing a service or product, selling a wide variety of products from home decorations and handmade candles, to cake stands and wooden door plaques.

Melanie Halstead, chair for the Bromsgrove and Redditch YE Board, said: “I believe that creating a real environment for students to showcase their businesses and interact with real customers is critical to the whole experience of the Company Programme. Supported by Webbs, a local, well established business, the students will have the opportunity to test out the market and develop valuable people and sales skills. I have no doubt that the Spring Fair will give the students the spring board they need to progress their business and develop themselves as entrepreneurs.”

Webbs chairman, Ed Webb, added: “I’m really looking forward to meeting the Young Enterprise teams and seeing their products. As a company Webbs is committed to supporting worthwhile local projects and are very happy to encourage these business entrepreneurs in the world of retail.”