ST John’s Shopping Centre’s Santa has joined together with young businesses funded by Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, an organisation providing essential finance and support to young people aged 18-25 from all over Scotland to enable them to set up and run their own business, to help them give something back this year.
Santa has offered up space in his St John’s Shopping Centre grotto to give these young businesses a unique taste of retail’s busiest sales period in the year, an opportunity that will benefit both the young business and the charitable trust that helped them start up in business: with 20 per cent of the money raised from retail sales to be donated to the charity in January.
St John’s Shopping Centre, whose grotto is open for six weeks in the run-up to Christmas, thought this was an ideal way for small businesses to experience the world of retail at little or no risk to themselves, as well as fantastic opportunity to benefit the charity that helped them get started in the first place.
The response from PSYBT funded businesses from all over Scotland has been overwhelming and ten lucky entrepreneurs have been offered the unique opportunity to showcase and sell their products in the grotto shop. The diversity and quality of the products available is testimony to the positive impact that the charity has on helping young, talented business people get started.
Retailing a range of products ranging from photography sessions and yachting experience vouchers, to designer bags and decorative clocks, Santa’s Grotto has gifts for all members of the family covered.
Mark Strudwick CBE, chief executive of PSYBT, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for some of the businesses we have supported from all over Scotland. The opportunity to buy amongst other items, handmade chocolates, funky t-shirts or designer jewellery, from young people running their own companies is unique.”
He continued: “These businesses are growing and developing, and opportunities like this allow them to engage with the public and show off what talented young people are doing in Scotland. With 20 per cent of their sales being donated back to the charity, we are just delighted by their generosity. We wish them and all involved with this imaginative and fun initiative a great success.”
Siobhan McConnell, St John’s Shopping Centre manager, added: “This is truly a unique opportunity for both the businesses and the charity and we’re delighted to be making this all possible. Santa was more than happy to give up some space in his grotto to enable young, enthusiastic people the opportunity to expand their business, and even more delighted to hear that each and every business involved is also giving something valuable back to PSYBT, which will assist other young people in the future.”
St John’s Shopping Centre’s Christmas Grotto is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday every week from now until Christmas.
PRESS RELEASE issued by Volpa. You too can post your story ideas for journalists (aka Press or media releases), on allmediascotland.com. Email info@allmediascotland.com for more information.
Contact: Tricia Fox
Phone: 01738 658187
Email: t.fox@volpa.co.uk
Website: http://www.volpa.co.uk
