Two new businesses could be coming to Sandwich thanks to a young entrepreneur scheme.

The Kent Foundation for Young Entrepreneurs is a business support charity which has been working with pupils from Sandwich Technology School in order to help them start their own companies.

Students attended four one-hour workshops covering networking, communication, business planning and presentation skills.

Paul Barron, director of Kent Foundation said: “Partnership with the school commenced when I was invited by the head boy, Simon Malhomme, to work with the school.

“Simon was keen to manage a programme with us and it seemed logical to target students who were keen and entrepreneurial.

“We soon attracted another volunteer to work alongside Simon. Marcie Boyer, a recently trained Kent Foundation business mentor and employee at Pfizer who will be offering her ongoing support to one of the fledgling businesses to increase their chances of success.

“I really didn’t expect such a fantastic impact, we only worked with a dozen students and now three of them are launching two businesses.”

Sixth form students Beth Davies and Joanna Childs are looking to start up J&E Furnishings, an resourceful business utilising pre-loved fabrics and recycling them into bespoke furnishings such as cushions.

On completing their exams this summer, the pair plan to attend craft fairs which they hope will provide them with a real insight into what customers want and enable them to tailor their products.

Victoria Day already runs a dog training business called Dogs Naturally based in Ash and has ambitious plans to set up a animal rescue service.

Both start-up businesses will receive ongoing monthly support from the fully trained mentors at the charity to ensure they have every chance of success.

The final event was held at The Bell Hotel in Sandwich last Thursday and took place thanks to support from the Samuel Butler Foundation and Canon Mark Roberts, Vicar of St Clements, who supported the funding application.

The programme was also supported by Steve Laslett from the Sandwich Town Chamber of Commerce, KCCs Leyland Ridings and Kimberley Anderson from Discovery Park.

For the full story read this week's East Kent Mercury - out now.