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City College's Marcus offers Portas magic to local retailers

12 May 2011

City College Brighton and Hove is running a free taster session on June 1st to herald the launch of the College's new Retail Training programme, 'The Mary Portas Masterclass', incorporating the tried and trusted methods of TV's top retail guru.

The taster session and a range of seven different Masterclasses will be delivered by tutor, Marcus Pescod, who has over 20 years of retail experience working for some of the biggest high street names as well as providing retail training to well-known local retailers such as The Book Nook, Fair, Cybercandy and Lust. Held at various locations around the region, the one day master-classes offer the opportunity to learn many of the 'tricks of the trade' of high street retailing and will provide insights into visual merchandising, store layout to maximise profit, use of colour, adjacent sales techniques and achieving the highest level of customer service. City College has recently formed a partnership with other colleges in the south to create The Central South East Skills Shop, and as a member of the National Skills Academy for Retail, the College is now able to deliver these exclusive masterclasses which have been developed by the retail expert herself and Skillsmart.

'Retailers really need to understand their customers, know the market place, find unique selling points and have a passion for what they do', says Marcus. 'Training retailers in the Portas methods to maximise profitability can create a real change in any business, whatever size. Even if you've had many years of retail experience, or are new to the sector, this course can reinforce knowledge or provide new tips and techniques to turn even the most difficult retail space into a real money spinner. I've found that a key differentiator on the Mary Portas Masterclass is its adaptability to different retailers. Through it, I'm able to teach techniques that the large, highly profitable retailers are using and work together with individuals to make it work in their particular environment. Ultimately, it's about ensuring maximum profitability per square foot and getting footfall through the shop door.'

Marcus Pescod with local retailer Emma Hiscock

Marcus Pescod with local retailer Emma Hiscock

Marcus's free Mary Portas Masterclass taster session at City College is on Wednesday 1st June 6-8pm. Following on from the session, there will be the opportunity to network and discuss in more detail the various one day master-classes and an opportunity to book a place. Refreshments will be provided.

For more details or to book a place on the taster session or one-day masterclasses, call City College on 01273 667756 (option 2 or 4) check out the website on www.ccb.ac.uk/public/employers/mary-portas or email Marcus at mpe@ccb.ac.uk

For City College media enquiries, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk website www.ccb.ac.uk

About City College Brighton and Hove: Situated in the heart of Brighton, City College Brighton and Hove has become an international centre of vocational excellence. Every year, 2,000 full-time, 7,000 part time, almost 400 Higher Education and 400 14-16 year old students as well as many international and European students choose City College as their place of further and higher education training. In addition, the College provides training to over 2,000 businesses via its 'City Business Skills' department which focuses on employer training needs. Offering over 700 courses from basic level right through to business and postgraduate training, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.