A school trip comprising of 48 BTEC Business Studies students recently visited Durham as part of their course to collate some independent research that will help in understanding the local business environment and help to create a business plan for their own new business idea that would be located in Durham.

This particular trip helped students to identify the gaps in the market around the city of Durham and discover the potential business opportunities, allowing students to collate information regarding an innovative business idea that would incorporate itself well in the city centre, enabling students to create a structured business plan in lessons.

Students discovered the city, exploring Sadler Street and Elvet Bridge, Prince Bishop Shopping Centre, they analysed the transportation links in and around Durham to help gather more business research that will help with their Unit 1 module, "Enterprise in the Business World'. Durham is renowned for its tourism, the transportation links around are accessible and as the city has its own University, there is a high proportion of students in the population; all these factors contribute to why the city was chosen for this module research.

Mrs Lobbs, one of our Business Studies teachers said, "This trip was a perfect opportunity for students to experience and understand the real business environment."