We are delighted to be part of the 'Made In Portsmouth' initiative this year.  'Made in Portsmouth' is an exciting cross-school competition hosted at Gunwharf Quays. Local students from two schools will compete in a ‘Dragons' Den’ style pitch challenge, where they will design an innovative community space for the people of Portsmouth. This initiative encourages students to reimagine their local retail environment, challenging them to develop and present their ideas and vision for the future of retail.

Event Details

The event will take place in the management suites at Gunwharf Quays and is part of an enterprise programme that aligns with Gatsby Benchmarks 4, 5, and 6. Students will receive a brief on the day of the event, tasking them with reimagining a vacant space to best serve their Portsmouth community.

Workshops and Learning Opportunities

Participants have attended workshops focusing on creative placemaking, community and customer insights, and environmental sustainability. These sessions, led by professionals from Gunwharf Quays and Landsec, will equip students with the knowledge need to transform their ideas from initial drafts to fully developed designs, pitches and presentations.

Competition Structure and Prizes

The competition includes an initial presentation round, followed by semi-finals, with the final event taking place in London. The winning team will be awarded a trophy for their school and additional prizes from Gunwharf Quays.

This school engagement project is a joint venture between Gunwharf Quays its parent company Landsec, and Ahead Partnership, and is funded by the Landsec Futures Fund and offers a great opportunity for students to engage with their community, hone their creative and entrepreneurial skills, and envision the future of retail spaces.