Festive rush aidsBatley stallholder

Abubaker Rawat has spent the past week manning a stall on Huddersfield’s Queensgate Market as part of Kirklees Council’s Sugar Shops scheme.

The scheme, inspired by television show The Apprentice, gave young people with business ideas the chance to apply for a ‘Sugar Shop’ for the busy festive period and test the water without the risk of leasing premises.

Mr Rawat, of Mount Pleasant, Batley, successfully pitched Toys 4 All and opened his stall selling stocking fillers, toys and children’s clothing last Saturday.

The 22-year-old said his aim was to provide quality products for cheap prices and help families to celebrate Christmas on a budget.

Mr Rawat has been manning the fledgling business everyday, 9am-5.30pm, and will continue to work from the market stall until the end of this week.

“I’ve really enjoyed it,” he said. “It was a good opportunity to start up a business. I’ve tried to make it as successful as I can.

“The clothes have sold well because there’s a lot of families that walk by.”

The young entrepreneur said he had always wanted to start his own business and still held hopes of going back to university to continue his studies.

He said: “I studied business at A level and got the appetite for it then.”