M&G Real Estate’s Cwmbran Centre is to participate in a new national initiative, Free Space+, to support start-up and independent businesses. Start-up businesses in Cwmbran and surrounding areas will have an opportunity to win free space at the centre helping companies to promote their products in the town’s main retail hub.
Free Space+ 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).
Cwmbran Centre is part of a group of around 100 shopping centres offering local businesses the opportunity to apply for free retail space. Applicants to Free Space+ will be asked to choose a shopping centre and demonstrate how trading from that centre would accelerate their growth. Judging panels will select the winners in January 2018 and successful businesses that choose Cwmbran Centre 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 from the retail property world.
Rupert Milne, Asset manager at M&G Real Estate, comments: “Cwmbran Centre plays an important role for loyal local residents by bringing the best range of stores, eateries and services to the heart of the town. As such, this initiative is a great opportunity for a start-up business in the area to establish its offer at the heart of the community and possibly become part of the current line-up of brands trading at the centre. We are delighted to be able to be part of Free Space+ and look forward to helping any small local business which choose our centre to promote its range and grow to become a successful business.”
The closing date to enter Free Space+ is 1 December. To find out more about this initiative or to enter go to www.revocommunity.org/freespace