The deadline of 14 February 2010 for the Make Your Mark in Retail competition is fast approaching, and The Mall Luton is encouraging small businesses and budding entrepreneurs to submit their entries as soon as possible. With a top prize worth over £15,000, including six month’s rent-free retail space, one national winner could expand their business, or get it off the ground, with virtually no out-goings.
The competition is the perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs with new products to sell, retailers who want to test their sales strategies with consumers before opening a shop, or small businesses that want to expand. In addition to prime trading space, the winner will receive free business banking for two years, access to a business relationship manager for advice about financial decisions, a free place on the National Skills Academy Retail Masterclass, and a free place on the exclusive BSSA Oxford Summer School which is always fully booked and operates an extensive waiting list.
Make Your Mark in Retail is part of a national competition organised in partnership with Natwest, Enterprise UK and The National Skills Academy. It was first launched in November 2007 to help support and grow new business in Malls across the UK. Last year, the overall winners were chosen from the applicants at The Mall Luton, and the team in Luton is eager to see a local entrepreneur be successful again in 2010. Terry and Janis Loran from Toddington, last year’s winners, noticed a gap in the market for personalised merchandise for special occasions. Aged 59, Terry was made redundant and decided to enter and set up “Initially Yours”, proving that it is never too late to start your own business.
His wife Janis explains: “The competition was definitely well worth entering. Provided you adopt the right attitude and are prepared to put in the effort, Make Your Mark in Retail may just make a real difference to your business and your life.”
Brian McFarland, General Manager of The Mall Luton agrees: “This is a competition that really could change someone’s life. So many people dream of working for themselves but don’t have the money or experience to even get their ideas off the ground. This competition allows people to test their business or products without taking huge risks, and with a tremendous amount of support from a network of expert advisors. We were delighted when Terry and Janis won last year, and we know that there are lots of local people with the ideas and enthusiasm to equal this success in 2010.”
End.
Notes to Editors:
The Mall is the leading owner and operator of community shopping centres in the UK. The Mall currently owns 19 shopping malls throughout the UK and sees around 4 million shopping visits a week. The Mall Fund is a specialist property fund managed by Capital & Regional. Aviva Investors is Fund Manager.
The Mall, Luton houses over 120 retailers and sits in the heart of the town centre in Luton. The £20m redevelopment of The Mall Luton, due to end autumn 2010, is currently taking place to remodel the St. George’s Square end of the centre. The redevelopment will provide over 75,000 sq ft of high-quality new shopping, with cafes and restaurants opening onto the recently redeveloped square.
The Mall is committed to Luton as a major destination and is confident this development will provide the best possible shopping experience and has already secured TK Maxx as an anchor tenant in this new development.
Visit www.themall.co.uk - Shopping as it should be
This press release has been written and distributed by Flowing Ink. For more information or images please call Danielle on 01582 487223 or email danielle@flowingink.co.uk.
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Ref: TML/MR005
