What our clients say

Since Retail Workshop started in 1991 we've been both pleased and grateful that many of our clients have recommended other retailer clients to us. Listed below are just some of the comments we've received on some of the various services we offer.

• Training
• Business Reviews
• Consultancy Work
• Profit Improvement Days

Training to boost trade in Nuneaton's Queens Road

Talented clothing designer Fatima Mohamed is looking forward to a boost in sales after completing a course of business training to help her and her business to make the most of the regeneration programme now underway in Nuneaton's Queens Road.

Fatima, proprietor of Hers . is one of 25 Queens Road retailers to take up the training offer from Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Coventry and Warwickshire, in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Council.

She says: "I designed my own wedding dress and was approached by two people who suggested I could do this professionally, so I decided to give it a try, specialising in Asian fashion with an 'East meets West' twist.

"Before I opened my shop I had only very limited experience of retailing and I needed to learn all about the business side of running a shop. I started by approaching Business Link Coventry and Warwickshire and learned so much from the support they provided that I was really keen to take up further assistance in the form of the retail workshops."

Having spent her previous career in education, she decided on a change after she had a baby. As a former deputy examinations officer, she understands the importance of qualifications and says: "The course was extremely useful and gave me lots of ideas on things like presentation, as well as the practical side of running the business.

"Because I have no previous background in retailing, I wanted to have something on paper to show that I have the retail skills I need."

The course was run by Paul Ford of independent retail consultants Retail Workshop as part of the local authority-funded regeneration programme, which includes improvements to the shop fronts in Queens Road.

He will continue to work with the retailers to identify and satisfy their individual training needs and provide ongoing advise on business improvement issues and ideas.

He says: "This is the sixth regeneration programme we have been involved in for the a number of councils and it follows on from an extremely successful initiative we undertook with retailers in Abbey Road, working in conjunction again with Warwickshire County Council.

"These programmes succeed because they offer practical help with tangible benefits - retailers really do see an increase in profits. It gives them a taster of the value of training and we can then work with them to develop their training wish list and look at ways we can deliver."

Learning and Skills Council Coventry and Warwickshire is hoping to offer further free workshops to help retailers develop their businesses.

Workforce development adviser Deborah Brangwyn says: "These workshops are proving to be an important part of the local regeneration programmes. With the local authority investing in improvements to the shop frontages, we are helping with investment in the people who run the businesses within. By helping these businesses succeed, we can help to build thriving local communities."

"Workshops helped my staff and my shops" - Jarnail Dhailwall of Dahliwal Chemists, Coventry

Coventry chemist Jarnail Dhaliwall says his business has improved in leaps and bounds thanks to a series of free retail workshops he and his staff attended.

Mr. Dhaliwall started his chain of chemists in 1981, opening his most recent shop at Warwick University in 1998. He took part in a series of workshops funded by The Learning & Skills Council (LSC) Coventry Council and Warwickshire which are designed to boost business and increase employee's skills at the same time.

He says by training the 18 staff he employs at six shops in Coventry has freed up valuable time in which he can improve, develop and grow his business.

Now similar events, again funded by the LSC are to be run throughout Coventry and Warwickshire. They are aimed at helping independent retailers develop their businesses through training.

Mr. Dhaliwall, aged 60, said: "The workshops run by Paul Ford (Retail Workshop Ltd) have taught my staff to be vigilant and have given them confidence to deal with difficult situations such as shoplifting and dealing with difficult customers. It gives my seven managers and I more time to run the business and attend to the specific medical needs of our customers. Since the training I have had more confidence in my staff to run the shops properly."

He said he would recommend independent retailers to take advantage of the free training to develop their staff and at the same time enjoy meeting other retailers to share experiences, knowledge and solve problems together.

Taking a Lead on Learning - Fatima Mohamed - Hers... of Nuneaton.

The LSC Coventry and Warwickshire have funded a series of training workshops for independent shopkeepers in Nuneaton's Queens Road. These were set up and run by Retail Workshop Ltd of Leamington as part of a larger regeneration programme. Fatima Mohamed of fashion boutique "Hers. of Nuneaton", says that training is proving its worth in increasing sales. The project has gone hand-in-hand with funding to develop their shop frontages, in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Council. Fatima is now looking at options to continue and develop the in-store training.

Fatima states that "the sessions proved invaluable in helping me to develop all areas of our shop and I'm convinced we'll see lasting benefits for a long time to come". The sessions carried out with Fatima and her retail colleagues as part of the LSC's funding support for the whole regeneration programme.

Sarah Hands Out Bouquets to Workshops

Business is blooming for prize winning florist Sarah Horne - and now she wants other retailers to blossom as well.

The Warwickshire business woman is urging other independent retailers to take part in free workshops to improve their businesses, after similar sessions helped her company profits to rise by more than 20%.

Her call comes during the run up to a series of workshops planned throughout Coventry and Warwickshire funded by the Learning and Skills Council Coventry and Warwickshire (LSC). They are aimed at helping independent retailers develop business through training. Local retail consultancy Retail Workshop were commissioned to set up and carry out a series of training sessions and workshops to help independent retailers develop and improve profitability in the face of stiff competition from multiples and chains.

Since taking part in the workshops two years ago, Sarah has opened a new shop in Church Street Warwick, won a bronze medal at the Chelsea Flower Show and has also found time to start demonstrating and lecturing in Europe.

She had run her family's flower shop in Warwick Street, Leamington, for about 15 years before the workshops inspired her to re launch the business, changing its name and moving away from silk flowers and putting more emphasis on fresh. She said: "This success has come through working with Paul Ford, (of Retail Workshop Ltd) a business consultant who runs the workshops. Advice on management development has been crucial and the reason why I have been able to expand my business is because I can delegate and trust my staff to run the business well when I am not here. I am open about the business - I train them to do all the jobs I do - you can't be territorial. And now, because I am travelling and learning, I am bringing fresh ideas back into the business and enhancing the roles of my staff at the same time."

Now Sarah is planning to open he own floristry school above her Leamington shop. She said: "I put this recent success down to the retail advice I have received. I have found it all so very valuable. Retailers think they haven't got time to do this but really they can't afford not to do it. The workshops give a new perspective and the chance to see the bigger picture."

Deborah Brangwyn, LSC Coventry & Warwickshire's workforce development adviser in retail said: "Our free workshops for independent retailers are proving very successful for all those concerned, with many retailers finding their businesses are working harder for them as a result. These workshops definitely improve the bottom line."

Learning & Skills Council - Rugby, sessions for retailers

Retailers from Rugby say a series of free workshops have improved customer relations and spurred their staff on to further training. The response comes after a series of events were run last month in Rugby town centre by Paul Ford of Retail Workshop.

Supported by Rugby Town Council and The Town Centre Company, they were funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Coventry and Warwickshire and aimed to help independent retailers develop their businesses through training. The series of sessions were carried out locally.

Mike O'Connor, the manager of J. Parriss Jewellers, in Regent Street and five of his staff were among the 11 businesses which took part in the workshops at Warwickshire College's Learning Centre. They covered; Marketing A Small Retail Outlet, Layout and Presentation for More Sales, Selling Skills, Retail Law and Improving Customer Service.

Mr. O'Connor, who attended the first session, said he was confident that the fact his staff had taken part in all five sessions would boost the business financially in the long-term.

He added," The initial benefits have been that they are all talking about their jobs - so it has been an excellent vehicle for my staff and customer service has become much more of a priority. The courses themselves were excellent - we are now all speaking the same language and the staff want to do more training - which speaks for itself."

Deborah Brangwyn, LSC Coventry & Warwickshire's workforce development advisor in retail, said, she had been delighted with the response and the fact that most of the workshops had been oversubscribed.

She added, "We are delighted, particularly as they have been a springboard for development for many of the participants. The information and ideas that have sparked will go on to benefits not only the retailers but the customers and the retail community as a whole. Warwickshire College is now poised to build on this work and ensure the ball is kept rolling".

LSC - Sessions in Nuneaton

Nuneaton business woman Clara O'Donnell said regular training has become a priority for her staff since she took part in a series of retail workshop last autumn run by local company Retail Workshop.

And she urges independent retailers in the Rugby area, who have the chance to take part in a similar series to take p the opportunity.

Clara, aged 30, from The Kit Bag has been a partner in the business for the past 6 years. The shop is now split into seven independent departments, The Army store, The Gun Room, Hydro Warehouse, TKB Skate Shop, Cosmic Corner, Camping Store and Work Wear Supplies.

She said, "The shops in this street formed a retail committee and attended the series of retail workshops. They were enjoyable and informative and have really brought us up to date with retail law, employment legislation, and marketing and disability issues. The Kit Bag has 5 full time staff and now we all believe that regular training is a must if we are to continue to expand and make a profit. I would definitely recommend other retailers to attend".

A similar series of courses, also run by Paul Ford of Leamington based Retail Workshop, also funded by the LSC Coventry & Warwickshire, have been running in Rugby's town centre for the past few weeks. They have been supported by Rugby Town Council and the Town Centre Company and are aimed at helping independent retailers improve profits and develop their businesses through training.

In the run up to the final workshop next week. Deborah Brangwyn, LSC Coventry & Warwickshire's workforce development advisor in retail said, "I am delighted we have been able to give a number of small retailers in Rugby a chance to check their business knowledge and fill in some of the unexpected gaps. Some, I'm sure, will want to continue their professional learning curve through Warwickshire College where there are still some subsidy opportunities. Rugby's shopping centre is definitely on course for success and, with their new skills, retail can ensure this continues".

Shop Staff boosted by workshops

Retailers from Rugby say a series of free workshops has improved customer relations and spurred their staff onto further training.

The response comes after a series of events were run last months in Rugby town centre.

Supported by Rugby Town Council and the Town Centre Company, they were funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Coventry & Warwickshire and aimed to help independent retailers develop their business through training.

Mike O'Connor, manager of J. Parriss Jewellers, in Regent Street and five of his staff were among 11 businesses which took part in the workshops at Warwickshire College's Learning Centre. They covered: Marketing A Small retail Outlet, Layout and Presentation for More Sales, Selling Skills, Improving Customer Service and Retail Law. Mr. O'Connor, who attended the first session, said he was confident that the fact his staff had taken part in all five sessions would boost business financially in the long term. He added, " The initial benefits have been that they are all talking about their jobs- so it has been an excellent vehicle for communications for my staff and customer service has become much more of a priority. The courses themselves were excellent - we are now all speaking the same language and they want to do more training - which speaks for itself."

Deborah Brangwyn, LSC Coventry & Warwickshire's Workforce Development Adviser in Retail, said she had been delighted with the response and the fact that most of the workshops had been oversubscribed. She added, "We are delighted, particularly as they have been a springboard for development for many if the participants. The information and ideas they have sparked will go on to benefit not only the retailers themselves but their customers and the retail community as a whole. Warwickshire College is now poised to build on this work and ensure the ball is kept rolling."

The workshops were run by Paul Ford of Retail Workshop based in Leamington Spa.

Business Reviews: comments

"Loved it. The review was just what we needed - an objective look at our shop that gave us ideas we can consider to help us move the business on!" JD - Convenience store , Coventry

"I wasn't sure how effective your review would be but I was pleased with the thoroughness of the visit, the detail of the report and the suggestions made. We're now setting out our own Action Plan to help us increase sales. Thanks again." Independent pharmacy, West Yorkshire

"We all need an objective view of our business and your review and ideas for our bookshop have proved invaluable." PT, bookshop, Oxfordshire

Consultancy Work: comments

"I honestly believe that the time and money spent with Retail Workshop was one of the best investments we've made. Paul, literally turned our business around in a matter of 6 months. We'll be in touch." Independent retailers, Stratford Upon Avon

"Even without the funding support from Business Link I think we'd have been hard pressed to find better value. More sales, better performing staff and a lower cost basis all add up to a healthy looking future." Electrical outlet, Warwickshire

Profit Improvement Days: comments

"Better than I expected! Makes you focus on the things you thought were needed for your business and find either others have tried and they work or others think the same way as you do. Looking forward to the afternoon session." Trisha Metzer, MagNiffyScent

"Good session - interesting to meet with other participants. The workshop reinforced my thinking on ways to improve my business. All I need now are the funds to move forward." J. Dobby, The Art of Crafts

"Very informative, professional and polished performance. I hope to hear of more events of this type. Nice sandwiches too." Phil Mannell, Who's Next

"Very professional, really found the Workshop constructive." Frank Drake, The Parish Chest

"More please. Excellent. Very informative. So many good ideas." Pam Drake, The Parish Chest

"The day has highlighted areas of I.T. and marketing that I will work on." Ian Willsher, Papers Past

"May very good points to think about and contact names. Great day." Ray Davis, Victoriana

"Very useful, helps with focus and loads of good ideas." G. Ellenbroek, Arts & Graphics & Draftline

"Great, very helpful. Thank you." N. Annear, Hall for Cornwall

"What a great day - very useful information - great staff - good level of communication." Jenney Robinson, Hall for Cornwall

"Very, very helpful. Well worth attending. Please let me know when the next one's on!!" F. Stearn, Mums and Little Ones

"Many thanks - Lots of ideas but can you find me the time to action them?!!" Avril Plunkett, Heathercraft

"Very interesting event, people, information. Well worth attending." N.E. Courchene, Baby Days Direct

"The day has been helpful, made me think 'out of the box' so to speak. I am now buzzing with ides and future plans." C.M. Davis, Victoriana