Published at 13:12, Friday, 26 February 2010

A PERSISTENT Barrow schoolboy has been applauded by a top marketing guru for his entrepreneurial vision.

Eleven-year-old Connor Wood is pursuing his idea to bring a popular toy company to Barrow, in a bid to make the town a family tourism destination.

The Victoria Junior School pupil has emailed the Build-A-Bear Workshop chain to ask them to consider opening a Barrow store.

The tenacious youngster was inspired to get his thinking cap on after listening to renowned marketing consultant, Geoff Ramm, at a Furness Enterprise hosted master class about boosting Barrow’s business and tourism.

Mr Ramm talked about attracting families with children to the town.

Connor and his equally enthusiastic classmates, Sarah McDougall, Rhiannan Sielski, and William Waplington, all attended the event during their half-term holiday.

Following the conference Connor emailed Mr Ramm with his idea saying that the bears, which customers personalise with clothes and accessories, are popular in Barrow, but the is no store in Cumbria.

Mr Ramm praised the idea as “brilliant” and suggested that themed days such as teddy bears picnics, walks and story times in Barrow would complement Connor’s idea.

Connor went on to get in touch with Build-A-Bear Workshop saying: “I believe that if we had a BABW in our town then a lot of families from all over Cumbria would visit Barrow.”

After sending a second email he got a response.

Maxine Clark from Build-A-Bear Workshop replied in an emailed saying: “Thank you BEARY much for this inquiry and suggestion.

“I will be sure our real estate team has your suggestion and does their research.

“We value input from guests of ALL ages and most of our suggestions are from children.”

Connor told the Evening Mail: “I was just sat down and I thought about Build-A-Bear and why don’t we bring one to Barrow. I know a lot of people who have them.

“I would like to get Build-A-Bear to come to Barrow, but then add extra ideas to it, like family weekend events.

“I didn’t think I would get this response, so I’m really pleased that people have listened to my idea.

“My family like the idea and hope I keep at it and my friends are quite interested in it.”

Mr Ramm told the Mail: “It is just amazing. Connor and his friends sat on the front row and Val (Robinson) from Furness Enterprise said they were like sponges taking everything in.

“In terms of entrepreneurial spirit Connor has it at the age of 11. It’s brilliant to see.

“I think the Build-A-Bear idea is a great one and we can add that to some of the ideas we talked about on the night in terms of making Barrow a potential family destination.

“His passion and enthusiasm was just breathtaking.

“If we all had 50 per cent of Connor’s enthusiasm, Barrow would be one heck of a place.”

Mr Ramm said someone needs to take the reins of the idea.

He said: “If it takes an 11-year-old to pull the reins then there is your future Richard Branson.

“The greatest thing is he came forward with his own idea. He has not just talked about them he has gone ahead and done it.

“He is one for the future we need to keep him in Barrow because if not I’ll pinch him in years to come.”

Connor is also working with Mrs Robinson at Furness Enterprise and he has been asked to write a letter to Barrow Borough Council.

Caroline Vernon, the headteacher of Victoria Junior School, said: “I am really proud of all the pupils and the questions they asked.

“I just think it is amazing that Connor is following up his idea.

“It shows our children really care about Barrow.”

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk