Budding entrepreneurs offered unique opportunity
10 January 2008
Budding entrepreneurs are being offered a unique opportunity to try their hand at the retail business with the launch of a new national competition.
Entrants will have the chance to try out their business ideas for free on a Retail Merchandising Unit (RMU) in one of the Mall’s 23 nationwide shopping centres with one lucky winner will go on to win a ‘retail start-up package’.
The Mall, the UK’s leading community shopping centre brand, together with NatWest and RBS Business Banking and the national campaign to encourage an enterprise culture in the UK, Make Your Mark, have joined forces to launch ‘Make Your Mark in The Mall’. The competition’s goal is not only to encourage entrepreneurship and help people to realise their business dreams but to ensure that Britain’s retail industry benefits from an injection of fresh talent, and helps maintain the choice and vibrancy that today’s shoppers have come to expect.
The competition will be held in two heats, regional and national. The first stage will involve all entrants supplying a simple business plan to be judged by a regional independent panel, the successful finalists will each have two weeks free trading in one of the 23 Mall shopping centres local to them. The national winner will then be chosen from a selection of the most successful traders from each of the Malls by specialist judging panel including Tim Campbell, founder of The Bright Ideas Trust and winner of ‘The Apprentice’ in 2005, Dominic Galvin CEO of retailer MkOne, Ken Ford Chief Executive of The Mall, Harry Rich, Chief Executive of Make your Mark and Steve Pateman, Chief Executive of NatWest and RBS Business Banking.
The national prize winner will receive a unique retail start up package including:
Six months rent free trading on an RMU
Hands on support from The Mall
Business mentor from The Royal Bank of Scotland
A place at the prestigious British Shops & Stores Association Summer School at Keble College Oxford.
Kenneth Ford, Chief Executive of The Mall comments: “Make Your Mark in The Mall is not just a competition to encourage entrepreneurship, it’s more than that. We are striving to deliver an environment that nurtures independent retailers from the inception of their idea to its growth into a successful business, whatever its size. As a nation we are increasingly focused on our local communities, and our role within them, this competition is helping local people to run local businesses, ensuring that Britain’s entrepreneurial talent is able to flourish in its hometowns.”
Steve Pateman, Chief Executive of NatWest and RBS Business Banking said: “We’re proud to help budding entrepreneurs overcome the initial hurdles which might prevent good business ideas getting off the ground. This competition provides a unique chance to realise a business ambition by trading for free in a busy shopping mall, winners will also receive support from our experienced local business managers.“
Tim Campbell, Founder of The Bright Ideas Trust comments: “The Bright Ideas Trust is all about assisting young entrepreneurs get into business so it’s inspiring to see a major national company like The Mall team up with the Make Your Mark campaign, especially one which involves local communities and ensures future generations of retail entrepreneurs see their skills developed and supported. This competition is a brilliant way of highlighting the dramatic difference established businesses like The Mall can have on individuals and whole communities impacted by their endeavors.”
Harry Rich, Chief Executive of Make Your Mark, says: “The retail industry is constantly changing and even the biggest companies recognise they need to be innovative to stay on top. Young, enterprising people are perfectly placed to make their mark in this fast moving industry and this competition is a great opportunity for them to give retail a go.”
Entrants can apply online at themall.co.uk by clicking on ‘business’ or by picking up an entry form at the Ask Me Point in their local Mall until the competition closes on 27th January 2008.
