Christmas shopping made easy as student pop-up shop returns

Students from specialist schools across Leeds are spreading festive cheer this week with the return of their Christmas pop-up shop in Kirkgate Market.

The pop-up shop, Compass House, is open from Monday 6 December until Friday 10 December between 10am and 2pm and can be found just by the food court in Kirkgate Market.

Students will be selling beautifully handcrafted gifts such as bath bombs, Christmas gifts and decorations with all items being priced at £5 or less.

The shop is part of a work experience project for students with special educational needs and disabilities, coordinated by Leeds City Council. Its aim is to achieve equality through enterprise.

In 2018, students from a range of specialist schools in Leeds planned, named and promoted the pop-up shop and handcrafted all of the items for sale.  After its success they agreed they would continue to open their pop-up annually with Leeds Kirkgate Market agreeing to provide the unit free of charge.

The students are from Green Meadows Academy, West SILC, East SILC, Broomfield SILC, St John’s School for the Deaf and the Lighthouse School.

Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult and children’s social care and health partnerships, said:

“Compass House is a wonderful example of different organisations working together to deliver on our ambition to make Leeds a Child Friendly City and it’s fantastic to see it return again this year. A lot of hard work and effort has gone into setting up the shop which is full of beautiful handmade gifts.

“This project has been a great opportunity for students with special educational needs and disabilities to gain valuable work experience and make a positive contribution to the wider community. It is also a fantastic example of how Leeds Kirkgate Market as a Child Friendly Leeds Ambassador is working to improve opportunities and outcomes for the children and young people of Leeds. I would like to say a huge well done to all of those involved in setting up this fantastic shop once again and encourage everyone to pop in and show their support before it closes on Friday.”

ENDS