January 24, 2012 5.18 pm This story is over 146 months old

Lincoln school entrepreneurs pitch ideas to shoppers

Budding ideas: Pupils from 11 Lincolnshire schools will showcase their latest business ideas and products in the Waterside at the weekend.
Last year dozens of pupils pitched their product ideas to shoppers in the Waterside Shopping Centre

Almost 100 young people from schools across Lincolnshire will have the chance to exhibit their latest business ideas at an event in Lincoln on Saturday, January 28.

Branston Academy, Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar, Lincoln Minster School and Sir Robert Pattinson Academy are part of the 11 schools and colleges throughout Lincoln, West Lindsey and East Lindsey set to take part in the fair, selling products ranging from eco-firelighters to knitted snoods and mood specific recipe books.

Taking place at the Waterside Shopping Centre, between 9am and 5pm, the seventh annual Young Enterprise Trade Fair aims to showcase Lincolnshire’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

Young Enterprise is a charity aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship amongst young people. The Company Programme enables teams of Year 11/12 students to set up and run real businesses for an academic year, with support and guidance from industry mentors and school link teachers.

Gareth Jones, Head of Enterprise at Sir Robert Pattinson Academy, said: “It’s great opportunity for our young people to gain an insight into setting up and running their own business, interacting with members of the public to make their venture successful and viable.”

Hannah Rowe (17), MD of team Oscillate, one of the groups taking part in the programme, is looking forward to the trade fair: “The Waterside trade fair is a fabulous opportunity to show our wooden products to the public. We are excited, but slightly nervous. Hopefully our products will capture the publics interest.”

Joseph Siddall, Chair of the Greater Lincoln Area Board and Lindsey Area Board comments: “In the current economic climate, it is important for students to be able to distinguish themselves from their peers in an attempt to gain the university place or job opportunity they seek.

“Participating in the Young Enterprise Company Programme is one way in which students can gain confidence and enhance their career prospects.”