On Saturday 8th July a pool of young entrepreneurs showcased their business acumen at The Walnuts Shopping Centre for the summer Orpington Children’s Business Fair, supported by Orpington 1st Business Improvement District (BID) and sponsored by HSBC.
In the fifth event of its kind to be held in Orpington - which saw a 16% increase in footfall on the previous year - 21 businesses led by 33 young people sold a range of products from art to home baking kits, and jewellery to homemade dog biscuits.
Providing an opportunity for authentic, hands-on learning, Children’s Business Fair tasks applicants aged 7-17 with developing a brand, building a product or service, creating a marketing strategy, then selling to real customers in the market place and making their own money.
Mayor of Bromley Cllr. Mike Botting and consort Cllr. Kim Botting sampling the wares of the one of the young stall holders
Judges for the day, Orpington 1st Executive Director and HSBC Local Director Saveena Mills-Baptiste, were entrusted with selecting the winners of four awards amongst an impressive crop of young people.
‘Popstar Creations’ was judged to give the Best Sales Pitch whilst ‘With My Little Eye’ earned Best Product, and ‘Craft 9’ picked up the award for Best Stand.
Gareth Bacon MP doing some gift shopping
The Judges’ Choice Award went to ‘Classynfancy’, purveyors of quality handmade crocheted clothing, jewellery, and accessories, plushies, and personalised frames.
Orpington 1st’s Executive Director said, “as well as working collaboratively to improve today - it’s essential that we to look to the future, and our local business community is proud to help enable the next generation in business gain invaluable real-world experience. The ingenuity displayed today has been astounding and I’d like to congratulate all our stall holders, and thank residents for coming along to support them.”
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(L-R) Orpington 1st Executive Director, Gareth Bacon MP, HSBC Local Director Saveena Mills-Baptiste, and Children's Business Fair founder Sam Rogerson
