Nick Gibb visited Felix Dance & Schoolwear in Littlehampton to discuss the Private Members’ Bill  (about the cost of school uniforms) currently going through Parliament, and to see where school uniforms for a number of local schools are sold. 

The shop, in Beach Road, Littlehampton, opened in 2000 as a dance wear shop and expanded into school uniforms in 2005. The business is owned and run by husband and wife team, Brian and Charmaine Lawrence.

The shop supplies school uniforms for four local secondary schools: Littlehampton Academy, St Phillip Howard Catholic School, St Oscar Romero Catholic School, and Felpham Community College; and eight local primary schools: Arundel Church of England Primary School, Lyminster Primary School, River Beach Primary School, Rustington Community Primary School, St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School, St Philip’s Catholic Primary School, St Wifrid’s Catholic Primary School, White Meadows Primary Academy.

Nick Gibb said: “It was a pleasure to meet Brian and Charmaine Lawrence and to see first hand their school uniform shop. Felix provides all year round availability of school uniforms for many of our local schools.

“We discussed the importance of school uniform in helping schools establish their ethos. It also helps to ensure a levelling between pupils from different backgrounds.

“School uniforms can be a cost effective way for parents to clothe their children, with blazers often lasting for more than one academic year.

“The Private Members’ Bill going through Parliament at the moment, which is supported by the Government, puts Department for Education published guidance, about keeping the costs of school uniform affordable, into law.”

Photo: from left - Brian Lawrence, Charmaine Lawrence, Nick Gibb in front of the shop