SMALL businesses owners or online retailers thinking about opening a shop of their own have the opportunity to win free retail space in a new pop-up store, opening in Limerick City for the summer.
Launched by Champion Green this week, a prime retail unit on Roches Street will be transformed into a lifestyle pop-up store. It will showcase up to five local fledgling businesses, invited to trade there for six months, beginning in June or July.
The pop-up prize is worth over €30,000 and includes rent as well as marketing supports from An Post and Champion Green. Open to sole traders and small businesses, applications are now open online and close at midnight on Monday, April 10.
The six-month pop-up shop on Roches Street has been provided by well-known businesswoman Ann Clogan who, along with her daughter Elaine, owns the popular O’Donnell Boutique on Catherine Street.
“Retail is the life-blood of cities and communities. While it is a challenging sector to work in, serving customers in person, and bringing them great brands and products to choose from, is always satisfying,” she explained.
Limerick City and County Council Senior Executive Officer Cecilia Larkin said that the step-up from creating a great product to investing in a retail premises can be a daunting and challenging move.
“The Limerick pop-up is a super risk-free opportunity for anyone looking to test the retail market, or to expand into a city centre retail space to capitalise on the busy summer trade. The city has a vibrant retail scene already, and the Champion Green initiative will give shoppers even more reason to head into town now.”
As well as a six-month free rental period the winners of the shared 75 square metre pop-up store will also have free parcel-sending for one year within Ireland, from An Post Commerce, to support online retailing.
They will also benefit from a free direct mail campaign to promote the new business, a combined An Post prize valued at €10,000.
Ideal retailers for the store space include children’s goods, a boutique, sports or leisure items, health, wellness, beauty, gifts, art or crafts. The unit is not suitable for a food business.
The small business must be based in the Republic of Ireland, and employ less than 20 people. A video or a 500-word submission on the business proposition is required.
Ten finalists will be interviewed by a judging panel, to select up to five winners of the readymade retail opportunity.
Full details here
