Royal Watch News

Prince Charles to visit riot area

Sep 20, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla

Britain's Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla will visit one of the areas hit by the London riots today (20.09.12).

The royal couple will go to Croydon to see how three of Charles' charities are working with the council and local businesses to regenerate the area, 13 months after it was stricken by mob violence.

The charities are helping re-model the area while also tackling the underlying problem of high unemployment among the under 30s.

David Knight, a 'business connector' with the Prince's Business in the Community charity, has been running classes to encourage teenagers to think about becoming entrepreneurs after leaving school and thinks the sessions are helpful to both employers and young people.

He told the Evening Standard newspaper: 'The fact that the prince is coming with that sort of agenda, and talking about opportunities for young people, will inject a bit of urgency and add weight to what I'm doing.

'There's more of an appetite for businesses to do more and support schools, charity projects and mentoring programmes. Employers are beginning to understand they have a big part to play.

'I'm getting comments from some businesses that they are finding it difficult to find people with the right skills. There doesn't seem to be a lot of preparing 14, 15 and 16 year olds for the world of work.'

Charles and Camilla will meet community leaders before heading to Surrey Street market to meet with two traders, Shantel Brand and Julie McAlpin, who have set up in business with the help of the Prince's Trust.

Ms. Brand - who has launched an hourly creche service - said: 'The Prince's Trust has played a vital part in developing my business. If you believe you have a viable business idea then contact them - the support they offer is amazing.'

Ms. McAlpin received a £4,000 loan to buy supplies and launched a jewellery business in February and is now hoping to expand.

She said: 'The business is going really well and my dream is to have my own jewellery store in London one day.'