Prime retail space goes up for grabs in free offer
Aspiring businesses will be given the unique chance to form part of a bustling town centre shopping mall.
Ayr Central, part of the M& G Real Estate Group, is to offer prime pop- up space to firms as part of a nationwide initiative.
The Free Space+ concept is bidding to support start- up and independent firms across the country by offering the chance to win free space at retail hubs like Ayr Central.
The programme has been launched by retail property organisation, Revo, in partnership with nine of the largest UK retail landlords and the British Independent Retailers’ Association ( bira).
And Ayr Central is part of a group of around 100 shopping centres offering local firms the opportunity to apply for free retail space.
Applicants will be asked to demonstrate how trading from the centre would accelerate their potential growth.
Judging panels will then select the winners in January and successful businesses that choose Ayr Central will then be able to occupy space in the centre for three months.
Successful applicants will receive a support package from bira, including insurance, good financial rates and legal advice along with an appropriate mentor drawn from the retail property world.
Anthony Ross, asset manager at M& G Real Estate, said: “Ayr Central is the town’s prime retail location with a loyal customer base and attracts a high volume of tourists and students.
“As a highly desirable location for national brands looking to trade in south Scotland, this is a good opportunity for a local start- up choosing our centre to establish its reputation with its target audience and possibly join our current line- up of brands in future.
“We look forward to helping any new local company choosing Ayr Central to showcase its product to the local community.”
Centre boss, George Reader, added: “It’s important for us to bring retail diversity to the Ayr Central offer and in turn to the wider Ayr town centre offer.
“Young brands can create real points of differences for shoppers that can set the scheme apart for our competitors.
“We are looking for this initiative to draw on success of independent operators already in the scheme like Cherry Soda and Baby World.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity for a fledgling business to get free space and powerful mentored support from to grow their brand.”
The closing date to enter is Friday, December 1. To find out more or to enter visit www. revocommunity. org/ freespace.