YOUNG PEOPLE REQUIRED TO SET UP POP UP SHOPS IN LEEDS & ROCHDALE – SIGN UP BY 7 MARCH

Retail Trust and vInspired are now recruiting young people aged 16–25 to set up pop up shops in Leeds and Rochdale as part of a new 12 week skills development and volunteering programme called Retail Ready People (RRP) – sign up by 7 March.

Retail Ready People is looking for young people who want to enter or progress in the retail sector by setting up and running a high street shop. Working as part of a team of young volunteers, they will take part in a FREE training programme to develop key retail skills and then put their training into action by transforming empty shops into creative retail spaces at the heart of the community.

Jon Wakeman, East Street Arts, Leeds said: “We are so pleased to see a fantastic new opportunity for young people to experience practical business skills through a pop up project and look forward to being involved! Brilliant stuff!”

Simon Danczuk, MP for Rochdale, said: “Retail Ready People is leading a quiet revolution to help young people get a stake on the high street and that’s why I approached them to make Rochdale’s case to pilot this fantastic scheme.”

The programme began with two very successful shops in Brighton and Enfield last year and will run in 10 locations between 2012 – 2014.

Retail Ready People is supported by vInspired, Retail Trust and Dan Thompson, of Empty Shops Network and #Riotcleanup fame, who will work with young people to turn empty shops into amazing pop-up spaces.

Young people who would like to be part of the project, which will run in both Leeds and Rochdale from March to June 2013, should apply at: www.vInspired.com/retailreadypeople

To find out more about Retail Ready People #RetailReady contact Laura Horsley lhorsley@retailtrust.org.uk or 020 8358 7223 / 07725 672 468 for further detail.

-ENDS-

For press enquiries, please contact Janqui Mehta: Janqui@vinspired.com, 07825 597873

Notes to Editors:

Retail Trust (registered charity numbers 1090136 and SC039684) is the only charity that looks after the needs of all 3 million people working in retail and currently provides grants and services of approximately £1.5 million per annum to people who are working in or have worked in the retail industry or associated businesses.

vInspired helps young people to improve their skills, confidence and employability by giving them opportunities to do good things through volunteering and social action. It provides a range of online and off-line programmes to suit every young person – regardless of their commitments, interests and abilities. It makes volunteering fun, rewarding and easy! www.vinspired.org