A NORTH Lancashire youngster has begun his entrepreneurial quest early by setting up a business at the age of just 16.

Rowan Watson, of Carnforth, opened his new craft shop, Rowan Tree Crafts, in the town on Saturday.

And it was a successful start, as the Dallam School, Milnthorpe, pupil sold around 30 items on his first day in business.

His mum Sharon Quinn said she was ‘really proud’ of her son.

“He was a bit quiet at first, but then we left him to it and he did everything, and he really loved the day. He’s also helped make some of the gifts and he will be working out the profit margins and doing things like that at home.”

Rowan said he had always wanted to open a shop, ever since he was little, but recently he saw a way to make it happen.

“I saw the crafts my mum and her friends were making, and this room empty, and thought it was a great opportunity to get started by selling them,” he said.

“I am going to look into selling things on the internet, and hope to move to bigger premises, and even open a shop somewhere else if it all goes well.”

Mrs Quinn, a former nursing home manager, only took up craft-making after becoming housebound due to illness.

She started making cards, and now makes everything from candle decorations to photo frames, wicker hearts and decorated bags of sweets.

Rowan has also bought in ‘retro’ goods such as mugs and postcards, and locals have made jams, fudge and different crafty creations for him to sell in the shop.

His mum said: “It’s amazing how many people do crafts once you start talking to them, and it gives it a nice community feel when we can sell things other locals have made too.

“We’ve even got a lady who’s nearly 80 that has done a lot of stitching.”

Rowan will continue studying for his business A-level and returning to the shop after school and at weekends.

And customers seemed impressed with what was on offer.

Sheila Hardy, of Kendal, said: “I think the shop is lovely and cosy. There are lots of different things and something for everybody, and I particularly love the home-made cards.”

Rowan Tree Crafts is on the A6 Scotland Road, above the bike shop, and open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10am-4pm.