Small businesses and entrepreneurs across the region are being urged to enter the Princes Quay Win a Shop competition, which has received a wide range of support from big name local businesses such as Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP, Designs Signage Soultions, Harris Lacey & Swain Accountants and Connexin Broadband. The competition gives entrants the chance to win a FREE unit in the popular shopping centre for 12 months including:
• Rent, service charge and business rates
• Card payment processing and a free PDQ machine for three months, provided by Payment Sense
• Business mentoring from expert business advisor, Jonathan Elvidge
• Advice and lease report by Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP
• High speed broadband for 12 months, provided by Connexin
• Marketing, online and in-centre promotion and social media support
• 10 hours free creative design services from ICG design agency
• PR support including regular press releases about ongoing success, through the local and regional media from Sowden + Sowden
• Shop signage - onsite survey and discussion meeting, fascia sign, window and wall graphics and installation by Designs Signage Solutions
With a range of local businesses showing support, the competition proves an incredibly rare opportunity for businesses to take the next step and expand their offering.
The Quay is searching for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and the drive to succeed and is urging people to apply. Jonathan Elvidge expressed his support as he discussed the struggles of securing a unit during the early days of The Gadget Shop.
He said: “It’s a huge opportunity that doesn’t come around very often - I’ve never seen it before in all my years in retail. What is a competitive and challenging environment can be massively rewarding and, as a judge, I’ll be looking for something that stands out as being different.
I remember all those years ago I struggled to get a shop, so to have an opportunity to get a store free for a year is fantastic – if you have an idea you should definitely give it a go.”
Billie Mcloughlin, Business Development Manager at Harris Lacey & Swain said: “When we were approached to support the competition we didn’t think twice, we work with a lot of start-ups and we know how hard it can be to secure premises. In Hull we have an eclectic range of shops and eateries and helping to extend this range can only make it better – we’re passionate about the growth and development of the city and think this is a fabulous opportunity for an up-and-coming entrepreneur.”
The entry process has been kept simple and fair to give businesses of all shapes and sizes the opportunity to enter. With different types of units available, the competition is open to all sorts of business ideas from cafes to delicatessens, to new and unique retail concepts and even leisure operators. No idea or business is too big or too small – entrants simply fill out the online application and they’re good to go.
Harry Mills, solicitor at Andrew Jacksons Solicitors LLP said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting the Win a Shop competition. We know how difficult it can be for a business to get up and running so it’s great that we can offer this support as part of the prize. We love our city and we want to see businesses thrive, this is a fantastic opportunity and we look forward to working with the winner.”
The competition is open until 16th September and can be entered via https://www.princesquay.com/win-a-shop/
