A BBC Dragons Den-style competition with a prize fund worth £50,000 is being launched to help boost the future of Wellington.
Malcolm Ball, chief executive of Wellington Market Company, is kick-starting Shropshire Taste Quest this week to entice the county’s best food and drink producers and entrepreneurs into Wellington.
With a top prize of £50,000 worth of support the competition will see hopeful candidates pitching their ideas for setting up a high-quality food and drink retail outlet in conjunction with the Market Company.
The successful applicants will then be called in front of a panel of judges including Heart of England Fine Foods Karen Davies MBE, Ralph Early, director of West Midlands Regional Food Academy, Victor Brownlees, chief executive of Telford & Wrekin Council and Malcolm Ball.
It is hoped the competition will help the town rival Ludlow’s food and drink reputation, as the winner could be given a newly-refurbished premises in the market.
Mr Ball said: “I know there’s lots of talent out there but economic circumstances may prevent people from being in a position to start their own business.
“We will be able to assist the successful candidates in many ways, from offering rent-free periods and help fitting-out the premises through to use of our full-service marketing team based in our head office here in Wellington.
“The introduction of a high-quality food and drink retail offering will act as a catalyst to draw in more retailers and, of course, this will result in greater numbers of shoppers coming into the town.”
Mr Brownlees said: “This is a great way to encourage both individual enterprise and local economic regeneration. Wellington has a proud history and a tremendous future. The Shropshire Taste Quest adds to the town’s potential and helps position Wellington as a destination for devotees of good food.”
Those wanting to enter the competition need to submit a video of themselves to www.shropshiretastequest.co.uk email info@shropshiretastequest.co.uk or post to Shropshire Taste Quest, Town and Country Markets Ltd, 21 Market Street, Wellington, TF1 1DT before March 28.
by Chrissy Symmons
