Revo, (formerly the British Council of Shopping Centres), has launched Hatch, a brand new retail competition that’s open to entrepreneurs. It’s part ‘Dragon’s Den’- aiming to find up and coming retail talent – and part a lobbying effort to get the government to help the retail industry by reforming business rates to help high streets, says the organisation.
The winner, to be announced in May, will receive business support from Bira (the British Independent Retailers Association, which includes Cookshop and Housewares members). This includes a year’s free Bira membership, a unique retail insurance scheme, card processing, free legal advice and preferential banking rates. All winners will also benefit from free rent, with business rates and service charges covered too.
“Small businesses are the backbone of the British economy and a source of great creativity and innovation,”comments Revo’s Samantha Sen, head of policy and campaigns. “We believe that the retail success stories of tomorrow will come from today’s pop-up shops, kiosks and e-tailers.”
Continues Sam: “Hatch is a demonstration of the industry’s commitment to invest in the communities we are embedded in. Yet there is only so much the industry itself can do. We need to see urgent action from government at all levels to reduce the burden on retailers and revitalise our high streets.”
Current locations include Westfield Stratford City in London, St David’s Dewi Sant in Cardiff, Silverburn in Glasgow, The Galleries in Tyne & Wear, intu Derby, Parkway Shopping Centre in Limerick, Republic of Ireland and Bloomfields in County Down, Northern Ireland.
Hatch is backed by some of the biggest names in retail property, including Landsec, Hammerson, Westfield, M&G Real Estate, Harcourt, intu and Ellandi.
Top: intu Derby is the latest shopping mall to join the competition.
