Norwich, Norfolk -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/27/2012 -- A teenager from Swaffham, inspired by a school project, has opened a shop in Swaffham selling traditional treats. 18 year old Stewart Bell, attended Litcham High School and then Dereham Sixth Form College where he studied A-levels, including business studies and law. He is the owner of Bell’s Confectionery Emporium on Swaffham’s Market Place, in what used to be the Tourist Information Centre. “It’s great to see the entrepreneurial spirit in someone so young,” commented Lewis Morton, managing director of Morton Solutions, a Norwich-based sales and marketing company, “It takes a lot of motivation and perseverance to start a small business.”
As well as selling sweets, including coconut mushrooms and brandy snaps, the new store also stocks 36 different flavours of lollipop. Stewart’s father said, “His mother and I are extremely proud of him.” Both Mr. and Mrs. Bell own and run Legends Diner on the A47 near Swaffham, Legends coffee shop on Swaffham Market Place, and 4 Bells Caravan Park on the outskirts of the town. Mr. Bell said the caravan park had been in his family since the 1890s. He added that he and his wife took over the coffee shop in 2000 and bought the diner about six years ago. Mr. Morton from Morton Solutions said that it was, “…a perfect example of how young businesspeople are influenced and supported by being brought up with a positive experience of the business world.”
Stewart drew up the business plan for the sweet shop as part of his business studies A-level. “The premises in the Market place became available,” said Mr. Bell, “and we thought let’s set it up as a sweet shop and it can be Stewart’s start in the business world. When he (Stewart) was on school holidays he would come and manage the shop.” He added, “The only way to learn is from the bottom.”
Mr Bell said that both he and his son were quietly confident about the future of the business, which allowed people to reminisce about what sweets they used to have when they were children. “Stewart is a great example for other young people who are interested in getting into business,” said Morton Solutions managing director.
The shop is open from 9am until 5pm, Monday to Saturday during the winter months, and in the summer it will also be open on Sundays.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/teenager_stewart_opens_up_sweet_shop_in_swaffham_1_1207461