Bright Beginnings for Walsall College

Walsall College officially launched a brand new retail store at its Wisemore Campus on Monday 26th September, where fashion, unique gifts, cards and artwork are only a small part of the range of exciting products on sale.

Open to students, staff and members of the public, the College shop, ‘Bright Things’, is a new business venture which will be run by Business & Professional students, giving them the opportunity to gain direct retail and customer service experience.

Goods on sale vary from stationery to unique and innovative fashion accessories and artwork, designed by Walsall College Creative Industries students.

The store is a celebration of all things bright and will include printed t-shirts, mugs, postcards, badges and bags, along with the opportunity to order personalised and photo printed t-shirts, canvases, mugs and gifts through the College’s Graduate Design and Print service.

The shop is also home to The Venue box office, allowing people to purchase tickets for forthcoming shows by Performing Arts and Dance students in the College’s theatre. In addition, customers can also enquire about the College’s media production company, Digit Productions, a learning company which produces corporate videos, along with studio and location photography.

Bright Things is just one of the learning companies created by Walsall College, in order to give students hands-on experience in their chosen industry. Other learning companies at the College include Jerome’s Restaurant and the Graduate Academy Hair and Beauty Salon.

Head of Curriculum for Business and Professional at Walsall College, Richard Brennan said: “We are delighted to be launching the College’s innovative new shop, ‘Bright Things’. This is a fantastic opportunity, enabling our students to be directly involved in a real retail experience and adding value to their studies via an increased awareness of commerce, customer service, business innovation and enterprise.

“It is also a chance for Creative Industries students to get their designs out there, whilst giving customers access to a wide range of unique and personalised prints and gifts”.