Free space up for grabs in Bolton shopping centre

Homespun Bolton companies are being offered the chance to win free space at the town’s Market Place shopping centre.

It is part of Free Space+, a national initiative to support start-up independent businesses.

Free Space+ has been launched by Revo, the retail property and place-making organisation, in partnership with nine of the largest UK retail landlords, as well as the British Independent Retailers’ Association (bira) along with partners The Yard Creative, Asset Space and Clear Channel.

Businesses from across the UK can now apply for free space in up to 100 shopping centres, including Market Place Bolton.

Applicants to Free Space+ will be asked to identify their preferred shopping centre, and demonstrate how trading from that location will accelerate their growth.

Judging panels will select nine winners in January, 2018, which will then be able to occupy space in their chosen shopping centre for three months.

Each successful applicant will also receive a support package from bira, including insurance, great financial rates and legal advice.

The winners will also be teamed up with mentors relevant to their particular businesses from independent retailers and the retail property world.

And there will be design, online brand mentoring available too. The value to each winning business, including the market rent for the retail space, could be up to £30,000.

Free Space+ is supported by Moorgarth, owner of Market Place Bolton, as well as Westfield, British Land, Hammerson, Capital & Regional, M&G, Montagu Evans, Ellandi, and New River Retail.

Ed Cooke, chief executive of Revo, said: “We are proud to bring together the UK’s leading retail landlords to create a national platform that that will help start-up businesses access the space they need to thrive and grow.

“Physical retail space is not only a point of sale, it is integral to building a retail brand and driving website traffic. Free Space+ is the first business incubation initiative of its kind, not only allowing businesses to trade from some of the UK’s leading retail destinations for free, but providing them with the support they need to fully realise its potential.

“This in turn, will bring exciting new businesses into retail places, where a dynamic mix of businesses is essential to attract shoppers.”

Alan Hawkins, chief executive of the British Independent Retailers’ Association, said: “Independent retailers are essential to the diversity of shopping experiences. They bring excitement, create unique spaces and build authentic connections with local communities.

“As bira, we want to do everything we can to help make sure there’s always a space for them. We are pleased to be working with Revo and the shopping centre landlords on the launch of Free Space+ which is aligned with our goal of supporting independent retailers and helping them thrive.

“Independent retailing in the UK has a bright future, and initiatives like this will help entrepreneurs who otherwise may not have been able to take that first step into getting a retail premises.”