Westgate Oxford has celebrated the winners of its annual Made in Oxfordshire challenge, an industry-led initiative aimed at inspiring the next generation of retail talent. The competition invited three local schools to pitch creative concepts in a ‘Dragons’ Den’-style event.
The challenge tasks students with reimagining their local retail spaces, encouraging them to design immersive, innovative experiences that serve the community while exploring the future of retail.
Earlier this year, the programme kicked off with immersive workshops at Westgate Oxford, where students were introduced to real-world industry processes, including creative placemaking, audience engagement, and environmental sustainability.
Year 10 pupils from Greyfriars Catholic School, Oxford Spires Academy, and John Mason School developed their ideas over several weeks, producing polished proposals, mood boards, and detailed research.
The final event, held at the centre’s Curzon Cinema, allowed teams to present their concepts to a panel of judges in a professional setting.
“The Made in Oxfordshire project offers young students the chance to explore their creativity and come up with fresh and exciting ideas within the retail sector. The future generation present new perspectives and valuable insights into retail experiences that reflect their needs and resonate with their audience,” said Clare Martin, Acting Centre Director at Westgate Oxford.
Andy Clarke, Head of Partnerships at Ahead Partnership, added: “Nothing brings careers and skills education to life quite like stepping in to real workplaces and meeting role models face to face.
The Made in Oxfordshire Challenge demonstrates the power of immersive, interactive experiences to ignite curiosity, broaden horizons and inspire young people to explore career paths they may never have considered.”
The winning team this year was from John Mason School, who presented Brainwave, a safe and inclusive charity café and arcade aimed at supporting young minds and combating isolation. The team received a trophy for their school and the opportunity to compete in a national final.
The initiative highlights the powerful role young people can play in shaping future retail environments.
Delivered by Westgate Oxford, its parent company Landsec, and Ahead Partnership, and funded by the Landsec Futures Fund, the project equips students with skills, confidence, and professional insights that will help them thrive in future careers.
