Grow crew to learn retail skills as shop due to open
Grow’s crew members will soon be learning retail skills, as the charity opens a shop later this month.
Birdboxes, cards, soaps and jewellery will be among the goods on offer at the Route de Coutanchez site.
Products made by the crew will be sold alongside other items from local small businesses.
‘It provides a platform for local producers and for Grow,’ said Friends of Grow chairman Rick James, who is excited about the shop’s opening.
Grow works to support adults with learning disabilities and difficulties to develop self-confidence and life skills.
Alongside its training cafe, several workshops and the greenhouses, the crew will now have the chance to learn about selling, stocking and serving customers in a different way.
‘We’re hoping in time the crew will become familiar with the products and be able to tell customers about each one,’ said Mr James.
The Grow retail shop will be another area that offers experience and skills development.
Karl Parkyn, who has been part of Grow for five years, is looking forward to working in the shop, meeting and serving people.
‘The shop will be good for Grow and the public and I’ve made a few of the bird boxes’, said Mr Parkyn.
Grow is searching for potential volunteers to help regularly at the shop. With support from Friends of Grow, the preparations for the opening are going well. The money made will go towards site maintenance.
The shop will open from Thursday 21 November, with the same opening times as the training cafe – Tuesday to Friday 10.30am to 2.30pm – and hopefully on Saturdays in the future.
