Budding entrepreneurs have just a few days left to submit their entry to win a shop at Crown Glass Shopping Centre in Nailsea, near Bristol, free for a year.
The winner of this innovative competition will be given a retail unit in the shopping centre, free of rent and rates, for a year if they can impress judges with their idea for a business. In addition, they will receive free mentoring help and support from local financial, banking, retail and marketing experts. The prize is worth over £25,000.
The closing date for entries is July 31. The competition is part of a drive by Crown Glass landlords Ellandi and Development Securities to encourage local people to establish businesses in Nailsea.
Ellandi founding partner Mark Robinson said: “We have received some excellent proposals for the shop from local people who are keen to go into business – and there is still time for others who dream of running their own shop to put their idea forward.”
The competition to win 15 Colliers Walk for a year is open to residents of North Somerset and Bristol aged 18 and over. Shortlisted entries will be invited to present their idea for a shop to a panel of local business people, including representatives from Ellandi, Nailsea Town Council and Nailsea Chamber of Commerce.
Entry forms are available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/crownglassshopping, from the Centre Management office at 1-2 Crown Glass Place, Nailsea, or via Ontrac on 01275 850900.
At the end of the one-year period of occupancy the winner will have the opportunity to sign a commercial lease to continue occupancy if they wish.
A number of local business specialists have volunteered their time and expertise to support the new retailer. Local mentors include Wards Solicitors, Neil Houghton Accounting, Waitrose, HSBC Bank, Ontrac advertising agency and HPR public relations.
Specialist shopping centre investment and asset manager Ellandi, which acquired the Crown Glass Shopping Centre in 2009 in partnership with Development Securities plc, has implemented a series of improvements at the centre in recent months. These include the introduction of free WiFi, and the launch of a Nailsea-focused loyalty card, as well as investing £250,000 in refurbishing the office block in Crown Glass Place, which is now almost completely occupied by local businesses
Crown Glass has also staged a series of special events for shoppers, ranging from bellydancing displays to free pet health advice. It is also supporting local and national charities. It also plays host to a Tuesday Market each week and to the monthly Nailsea Farmers’ Market and Craft Market.