Learning by stealth: introducing smaller retailers to the benefits of training and education in Barnet

For many years, education providers and government‐led business support initiatives have tried to penetrate the SME retail sector, to facilitate an improvement in owner/manager skills and business development. In their study of training and support available to the SME sector, Manchester Metropolitan University Business School identify that previous attempts to involve the SME retail sector in education, learning or training have often been too structured, bureaucratic or time‐consuming. In sharp contrast with the experience of others, Barnet College Business Enterprise Department (BCBED) has drawn together a programme of activity that not only is appealing to small retailers, but also meets their needs in terms of business development. Explores the development of the local retail club model and the “learning by stealth” philosophy BCBED have adopted. A more in‐depth understanding of its implementation will enable those who are interested in supporting the SME retail sector to learn from its success.