‘Kids’ Apprentice’ first to move to Manchester

A business show for kids has been chosen by the BBC to be the first children’s programme to be based in Manchester ahead of the department’s move to Salford Quays in 2011.

Beat the Boss, billed as a junior Apprentice, encourages children’s entrepreneurial skills. Each episode pits a team of three children aged 10-12 against three adults. Both teams have to create a product for the children’s market.

The teams must come up with ideas for their product after carrying out market research – set up by the programme – and then work with a leading company, to produce prototypes of their design.

Since January the show has been produced from Manchester and drawn on North West-based contributors and companies. It is presented by Saira Khan, a runner-up on The Apprentice.

The BBC is moving five departments including Children’s to new studios at Mediacity in Salford.