TCS leaps for decade milestone in supporting young Yorkshire entrepreneurs

December2016

More than 300 young entrepreneurs from schools across Yorkshire will be descending on the Merrion Centre for the 10th year running, manning stalls as part of an initiative to teach students how to run and manage their own businesses whilst developing essential employability skills.

Town Centre Securities Plc (TCS), owners of the Merrion Centre, is marking a decade of partnering with LEAP, a registered charity that enables students aged between 14 and 19 years old to set up and run their own business for a year.

The students are mentored by skilled business leaders from across the region including Town Centre Securities’ Helen Green and Doug Macfarlane.

All students taking part in the program must raise their own share capital, choose, make or buy products, write a business plan and market that product. The Merrion Centre has donated the space for the participants to sell their products in the lead up to the biggest shopping event of the year.

The Lord Mayor of Leeds will also be attending the trade fair to speak with the students and hear more about their business ideas before the Town Centre Securities mentors choose the top business performer and present them with the winning trophy.

Over the 10 years a near 4000 students have taken part in the LEAP Enterprise Scheme. Some of the successful businesses have gone on to sell their designs to fashion retailers such as House of Fraser and ASOS.

“We have been a proud supporter of LEAP and the work it does to support the next generation of business leaders. We’ve always been incredibly impressed by the skills and ideas that the students present and this year is no exception as they are selling some truly exceptional products including handmade candles , recycled products and luxury gift bags. Christmas is an incredibly busy of time for us at the Merrion Centre and we hope our shoppers and visitors will help us in supporting these young people and their businesses.”

– Charlotte-Daisy Ziff, Head of CSR at Town Centre Securities

Julie Brownrigg, Development Manager for LEAP told us: “We have worked in partnership with Town Centre Securities for the last ten years and they have supported and helped host over 25 trade fairs during this time. The Merrion Centre offers a wonderful opportunity for LEAP companies to market their products in a vibrant retail centre competing with each other and against large national chains. Once again we look forward to an exciting competition this Saturday”.

The trade fair will take place on Saturday 3rd December with 18 different businesses selling products throughout the Merrion Centre.

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Town Centre Securities PLC (TOWN.L) 140.00 +4.50 Last updated: 28/03/2024 at 16:35