Hatch retail competition offers pop-up launch pad to success (1)

The chance to realise retail dreams with four weeks of free pop-up space in the soon-to-be-launched next phase of Manchester’s new shopping and dining destination, Hatch is up for grabs in a unique competition.

The winner of the contest will be awarded a 160 sq ft shipping container retail unit for a four-week period at Hatch - an innovative pop-up scheme on Oxford Road, Manchester.

Along with rent-free space at one of Manchester’s most exciting new retail destinations, the competition champion will also win up to £500 towards the fit-out of their new pop-up premises and 12 months free membership with Enterprise Nation, providing access to expert business support to help them take their business to the next level.

The Hatch competition is designed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with a foot on the ladder and the opportunity to take their retail concept to market. The winner will be given the advice and support they need to launch and build their fledgling businesses.

The winning unit will be unveiled at the highly-anticipated launch of Hatch’s next phase of development, which will see the scheme expand to over 30 units and the incorporation of a live music stage and covered courtyard area. Hatch is currently open to enquiries from traders for phase two of its much sought-after retail space.

Entrepreneurs, creators and makers who believe they have what it takes to be the next big thing at Hatch are now being invited to enter the pop-up space competition. The competition entry period will run from the 1st August to the 14th September, with entrants being asked to answer a series of questions online about their business proposition.

The competition is supported by leading property company, Bruntwood, the name behind both Hatch and Manchester’s independent shopping emporium Afflecks.

Shortlisted finalists will be asked to pitch their plans in person to a panel of expert judges including Toby Sproll, Bruntwood’s Head of Retail, Tony Martin, the General Manager of Hatch and Afflecks, Kate Day, Director at Manchester Craft & Design Centre, Lucy Ward, Creative Brand Director at Trouva, the online home for independent boutiques and Emma Jones MBE, Founder of Enterprise Nation.

The overall winner will be announced in September, with their dedicated shipping container being launched along with the next phase of Hatch in late October (subject to planning).

Toby Sproll, Head of Retail, Bruntwood said, “As we have seen with Hatch already, the North West is home to a wealth of entrepreneurs offering fresh and exciting new food, drink and shopping experiences. We want to help support these ventures, which play an important role in our regional economy and bring diversity and dynamism to Manchester’s retail and leisure scene.

“Hatch is a social hub, part of the Circle Square neighbourhood development, and provides a supportive, lively base for businesses with new concepts to take to consumers. The Hatch competition is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious start-up to take its ideas to market, free-of-charge, in a high-profile location, with high footfall and the full backing of our specialist business support network.”

Lucy Ward, Creative Brand Director at Trouva, said: “Getting a new retail concept started is always going to be a big challenge. Hatch’s competition to provide budding entrepreneurs not only space in a prime location, but mentoring and business support, is an amazing chance for Manchester’s brightest rising retail stars to really show off what they can do. We can’t wait to unearth some of the city’s hidden gems and with this incredible opportunity they could become the next big ones to watch.”