News: Enterprise day at Parkgate

Three young entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their products at one of the country's top retail park venues at the recent "Enterprise Day" at Parkgate Shopping.

The special event, the second in a partnership between Parkgate Shopping and Rotherham Youth Enterprise, featured Tom Jones of Props Skate Store, Ben Hague of WALO Apparel and Alex Harper of Static Clothing.

Tom opened his shop on Eastwood Lane in Rotherham town centre in November 2011. His success in providing a focal point for the skate community in Rotherham, and attracting customers away from the more established outlets in Sheffield and Barnsley for boards, clothing and lots of other skater-related gear won him the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2012.

Also producing products under the Wax Groove name, Ben's creative instincts led him to start experimenting with tie-dye techniques at home before launching his website in 2012. Producing a range of t-shirts and hoodies with a modern twist on the traditional tie-dye and dip-dye designs you may remember from the seventies, he quickly made sales and built a following which forced him to think about moving production from his kitchen to somewhere more suitable. With the support of RYE he was able to move his business to the next level from a fully equipped workshop.

Alex, a Graphic Designer with a passion for action sports has launched his own range of clothing aimed at those inspired to take part in and follow sports such as BMX, MTB and Motocross.

Darren McDool of RYE said: "These three businesses are at the younger end of our client base and represent an exciting and creative shape of things to come as far as the local fashion scene is concerned. Our event at Parkgate was an ideal platform for them to test their ideas as well as sell their products."

Props Skate Store website
Wax Groove website
Static Clothing website
Parkgate Shopping website

Images: Static Clothing / Facebook

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News: Props looks to kick on after award win

Tom Jones, the recently-named Rotherham Entrepreneur of the Year 2012, has already spent most of his prize money on new stock as his skate store business in Rotherham town centre picks up the pace.

Located in the Eastwood Lane Arcade, next to the town's market and local college, RCAT, Props specialises in skateboards, scooters, replacements parts and fashion clothing accessories.

It has been open for less than a year but quickly became a hub for the local skater community and has definitely added to the different retail offer created in Rotherham by new local independents.

Rotherham Youth Enterprise (RYE), in association with UK Steel Enterprise, ran the awards for the seventh year running with the aim of celebrating and promoting the best businesses run by young people in the borough.

Tom had already been named as the winner of the Best New Start-up category when he was completely shocked to find out that he had been chosen as the overall winner by the judges.

"It was the proudest moment of my life" he joked, more than half seriously. Although you can tell from speaking to him that actually turning his vision into reality and opening his own store probably takes some beating.

Tom added: "It was hard work setting up but seeing the sign go up on the front, I don't think I've ever been so excited."

Tom, from Kimberworth, has been an active skateboarder for more than ten years. He had the idea of opening a shop for the local skate park community as he and his friends had to travel to Sheffield or Barnsley to buy their equipment. Support from the youth charity, The Prince's Trust helped to turn the idea into an achievable business plan.

Tom has also received support from RYE along the way, with business advisers regularly in contact. Props is also one of 12 new town centre business to receive support under the council's Business Vitality Grant Scheme. Since the scheme began in 2009, new clothing boutiques, bridal shops, homeware and gift stores plus a chocolatier have opened, helping to differentiate the town's offer.

As Rotherham Entrepreneur of the Year 2012, Tom received a special trophy and a cheque for £1,000. He also received an iPad from Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber.

Tom discussed the award and his plans for the future. He said: "The award has been great for helping Props get more publicity and the cash is going straight back into the shop.

"We've ordered some more of our own branded clothing - Props hoodies and tees. Our first batch sold out straight away and it's great to see skaters out wearing our stuff.

"We're also in a position for the first time to create some Props branded boards."

Other plans include expanding the store and adding café facilities. Props will also be helping to organise events for the skater community with the next one planned for the Clifton Park Skatepark in Rotherham town centre next month.

Tom added: "The events are good for building up more awareness of the Props brand but it's also good to give something back to the local community.

"When I was growing up, we never had anything like this and now I'm getting kids coming into the shop that are trying skateboarding for the first time."

Props website

Images: Tom Austen

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News: Props for Tom as he's named Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012

Tom Jones, owner of Props Skate Store in Rotherham town centre, has been named as the Rotherham Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2012.

Rotherham Youth Enterprise (RYE), in association with UK Steel Enterprise, ran the awards for the seventh year running with the aim of celebrating and promoting the best businesses run by young people in the borough.

The entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 30, each received a cash prize and will benefit from publicity for their business. Each finalist will be featured on Rothbiz over the coming weeks.

The awards ceremony took place at Rotherham United's New York Stadium yesterday where the category winners, runners-up and overall winner were all announced.

Jackie Frost, project manager for Rotherham Youth Enterprise thanked the entrants and the sponsors. She said: "Our judges have been impressed with the vision, commitment and personal courage shown by all the entrants to these awards. All these qualities are required to successfully start up and run businesses in the present economy, but once again we have had a very high calibre of entries which has made the judges task extremely difficult."

Lucy Bennett of independent womenswear fashion label, Roc and Doll was named as the winner in the Best Established Business category, sponsored by Parkgate Shopping. Gavin Edley of specialist tea supplier, Vitalife was the runner-up.

In the Best New Start-up category, sponsored by RYE, Tom Jones of Props Skate store was the winner with Chris Foulstone of Impelling Web Design named as the runner up.

Gavin Edley impressed the judges with his innovative products to win the Most Innovative Business, sponsored by AESSEAL. Runner-up was Laura Bullock of Bitter Sweet Boutique in Rotherham town centre.

In the Business Most Determined to Succeed category, sponsored by Rotherham College of Arts & Technology, the winner was named as Chris Foulstone of Impelling Web Design and Adam Tinsley of unique racing simulator provider, F1 Showcars.

The sponsors also came together as judges and Alan Wood of UK Steel Enterprise stated that the standard of entries was the highest that he had ever seen.

Alan announced that Tom Jones of Props Skate Store was the overall winner, picking up a special trophy and a cheque for £1,000. He also received an iPad from Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber.

Tom's shocked reaction was summed up by his catchphrase - "Awesome!"

Rotherham Youth Enterprise provides self-employment support and advice for young adults in the area. Office and workshop provision is also available across the borough.

Props website

Rotherham Youth Enterprise website

Images: propsskatestore.co.uk

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News: PROPS Skate Store opens in Rotherham town centre

PROPS skate store is the latest niche independent retailer to open in Rotherham town centre.

Located next to the town's market and RCAT, in the Eastwood Lane Arcade, PROPS specialises in skateboards, scooters, replacements parts and fashion clothing accessories.

Opening this weekend, the store is the brainchild of young enterprising owner, Tom Jones from Kimberworth, who has been an active skateboarder for more than 10 years. Tom had the idea of opening a shop for the local skate park community as he and his friends had to travel to Sheffield or Barnsley to buy their equipment.

Tom said: "There is a large skate park community in Rotherham but there has been no local store to buy our boards, replacement parts, clothes or shoes"

PROPS and will stock a wide range of equipment and Tom hopes that with his acquired knowledge of what young people like to wear and the provision of a wide product range, the shop will meet the needs of the young people in Rotherham.

This is the 14th town centre business to receive support under the Business Vitality Grant Scheme since the scheme began in 2009, and follows new clothing boutiques, bridal shops, homeware and gift stores plus a chocolateur helping to differentiate the town's offer.

Bernadette Rushton, retail investment manager from Rotherham Council said: "It is great to see Tom starting his business this weekend. This type of independent business is just the sort that we are looking to support with the Business Vitality Grant Scheme, and we're happy that the skate shop will add to the range of specialist shops that we have in the town centre, giving shopper even more incentive to shop local!"

PROPS Facebook page
Rotherham town centre website

Images: PROPS

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