Billionaire entrepreneur Philip Green has called on fellow retailers to support plans to establish the country's fi...
Billionaire entrepreneur Philip Green has called on fellow retailers to support plans to establish the country's first retail academy.

Green, who opened his first shop 25 years ago last month, revealed plans to open a college to train 200 school leavers aged between 16 and 18 for a career in retail.

He has pledged£5 million for the project, but hopes to attract investment from retail companies in any sector, not just fashion.

The Government will also fund the initiative, which is likely to cost£10 million.

Green believes retailers would benefit from the association, because they would have access to new talent.

'I want to get two or three retailers on board,' said Green. 'M&S should be part of what we're doing. I'm sure they want to be part of it.'

Marks & Spencer and Next both declined to comment on whether they would get involved. French Connection finance director Roy Naismith believed the venture makes sense. 'I would applaud any effort to get a focus on retail-ing, because it's a little bit maligned,' he said.

Green plans to open the academy by next September and is looking at sites in London. The college will feature a full-size store on campus to enable students to gain real experience of merchandising.

Once qualified, trainees would be free to work for any retailer.

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