Yesterday, I was invited along to the launch event for the prototype Pod and Blyth-based project to build them.

The Pod is described as a "custom-designed, self-contained retail unit. They are modular and can be constructed anywhere and then moved to another location if the need arises.

The Pod was being built outside the Community Enterprise Centre building at the quayside in Blyth, which is managed by Blyth Valley Enterprise Ltd (a development trust) and the organisation behind the Pod project. A separate charitable company under the BVEL umbrella will take the project forward to market.

The young apprentice volunteers were busily putting together the final stages to the roof construction when I visited but the Pod will be complete in time for the public to view during the Tall Ships Regatta event.

Steve Bradley from BVEL, and the lead co-ordinator on the project gave a presentation at the CEC accompanied by a short time-lapse video of the prototype build.

He explained that the aim of the project was to provide training and employment for young apprentices and school leavers in the Blyth area, which has higher than average unemployment. The scheme would also be upskilling and re-training out-of-work people and harnessing the skill sets of experienced practitioners in this field. Steve and Bill Doney were behind the idea for the pods with Bill being the technician and trainer of the practical side of the build. As the pods are all created bespoke apprentices will need to learn CAD and business skills as well as construction techniques. The young volunteers had already gained a great deal of confidence working on the prototype.

The Pod would be a product associated nationally with Blyth.

The project intends to use local providors of materials and services and 90% of the materials used in the prototype were sourced within eight miles from Blyth. This was built within eight days and is slightly larger than the pods at Amble which some may be familiar with.

The Blyth Pods, however, are of stainless steel construction, with sustainable weatherproof porcelain panelling (with a wooden effect), and are completely bespoke, being made to customer specifications, with some clever design features such as blinds that never need cleaning, shelving, cameras, lighting and can be built to almost any size and shape required. They are also fully insulated. The cost of the prototype was £20,000 including the promotion, but the cost of one unit is anticipated to be between £12,000-30,000 depending upon customer requirements. This is competitive in line with price of beach huts etc.

The expected use of the pods is for startups, market traders, independent traders, ticket-booth merchants, temporary event pod, office or study place in an individual's garden and security site cabins.

I asked Steve Bradley what his targets for the project are. He explained that his idea was to have a whole workshop village in a Blyth location employing many apprentices. But the immediate target for 2017 was to build five to ten pods which will generate interest in the product.

Part sponsorship was provided by Blyth Town Council for the prototype was provided by Blyth Town Council and Steve pointed out that this was a great example of how partnership working can work.

The video of the build can be seen below