Minister praises pioneering shop

KEELEY KNOWLES

Yvette Cooper visited Sports Traider in Greyfriars on Thursday and met staff who had found work through the Future Jobs Fund.

Seven out of the ten employees are funded by the Government as part of the drive to get the unemployed into work.

Michael Owen, 31, is one of those on the scheme organised by Bedford Borough Council, which employs people for six months in local businesses.

Having been unemployed for a year and made homeless, Michael secured a job with Sports Traider as shop manager.

He said: “When I was looking for work I would go to the job centre and just have to sign a bit of paper.

“I didn’t think about the money side of things – I wanted to be physically active and to be working.


While coaching basketball players, Mr Haggith wanted to help those disadvantaged children whose footwear was falling apart.

The shop relies on donations from individuals as well as sports clubs and aims to help youngsters from low income families.

Mr Haggith, who hopes to open a similar shop in every town, said: “Sport shouldn’t be seen as a luxury and it should be more available to children. It can also help steer them away from crime.

“We had a mum in here the other day with three children and she said it’s her favourite shop.


She added: “The young people want the right brands and this is the chance to get them without paying the high prices.

“It’s also now offering jobs opportunties for young people.