High streets have been hit hard by the recession but university students now believe they might be able to offer a helping hand - for free.

As part of the University of the Creative Arts (UCA)'s fashion management & marketing degree, students are lending their expertise to retailers.

The students recently spent two months researching clothes retailers Luigi in Haslemere before delivering presentations advising on re-branding and marketing.

Course leader Caroline Gilbey said: "In the past they’ve gone for major names such as H&M or Marks & Spencer but we realised that the challenge is so much greater for the independent market.

"Effective re-branding of local independents not only gives our students fantastic experience but could also boost local community business at the same time."

And the recommendations delivered by the UCA students were appreciated by shop owners, who allowed them to carry out research on their business.

Julie Wright, co-owner at Luigi, said: "We were all surprised by the effort they put into the project, especially the amazing scale models that they made and the results they achieved.

"I think the students did a fantastic job - we’ll definitely be implementing some of their ideas at Luigi."

If you would like to work with UCA Epsom students on this project in the next academic year, contact cgilbey@ucreative.ac.uk