New initiative launched to help emerging retailers open in shopping centres

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Sep 27, 2017

Retail property organisation Revo has launched a national initiative to offer start-ups rent-free retail space in more than 100 shopping centres across the UK.

The project, titled Free Space+, includes partnerships with some of the UK’s largest shopping centres including Westfield Stratford, Birmingham’s the Bullring and Meadowhall, as well as smaller-scale local shopping centres.

Start-ups and growing businesses can apply for the scheme, and will be asked to demonstrate how trading from their preferred location will accelerate their growth. A judging panel will select 10 winners in January 2018, which will be able to take up residence at their chosen shopping centre for three months.

Winners will also receive a support package from the British Independent Retailers’ Association including insurance, great financial rates and legal advice, as well as mentoring. The value to each winning business, including the market rent for the retail space, could be up to £30,000.

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.”

Applications for Free Space+ are now open.