Elle Scott, 16, making dough
North End Road’s Christmas Market will look like a scene from TV’s Apprentice when catering students take on the challenge to create and sell tasty treats.
Just like the popular BBC show, the 16 to 18-year-olds will be working in a group to plan, publicise, bake and sell a wide range of Christmas inspired goodies.
They will be selling their creations at the second of this year’s traffic-free Christmas markets in North End Road, Fulham, on Saturday 12 December. The first will be held on Saturday 28 November where guest of honour Louise Thompson from TV’s Made in Chelsea will switch on the Christmas lights.
“As well as revive North End Road, we are committed to developing a range of opportunities for would-be entrepreneurs in the borough,” said Cllr Andrew Jones, H&F Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration.
“These special markets help us do both.”
The Christmas markets build on the success of last year’s festive market and a Summer Market in June that attracted 15,000 visitors. They are being organised by the council and the North End Road Action Group as part of their commitment to revive North End Road.
Two in five stallholders at the summer market were first-timers and a number have gone on to run stalls full time or open their own business.
The 14 students are all studying a VRQ level one vocational course in professional cookery at Hammersmith and West London College in Gliddon Road, Barons Court.
The project has been funded by Nisbets catering suppliers based in Fulham Road who donated £300 and will be running their own stall on Saturday 28 November.
Vanessa Lucien, 17, joint leader of the student project, described setting up their own stall as a ‘big challenge’ but said she was confident the students are up to the task.
“I’ve run events before at my sixth form but this is the biggest challenge so far.
“I’ve been doing a lot of research by visiting markets and I know I’m going to gain a lot of experience from this which will help me with more situations and projects in the future. It will open the door to other experiences.”
Click here to find out more about the Christmas markets on 28 November and 12 December.
To apply or find out more about running a stall, please call 020 8753 5695 or email Nicki.Burgess@lbhf.gov.uk.
