source: Guardian

BUDDING entrepreneurs could be given the chance to kick-start their business careers thanks to a new competition.

People from across Redbridge could win six month’s rent-free trading space at their nearest market, as part of the Make Your Mark in the Markets contest, run by Enterprise UK, an organisation which aims to help people into self-employment.

This year’s competition has been split into two categories: the first for entrepreneurs who have been trading for less than six months, and the second for those looking to expand an existing, but still relatively young, business.

One shortlisted applicant per market will win up to 10 day’s free trading to prove that their product or service has what it takes to cut it in a real trading environment.

Judges will visit each stall to assess sales, customer feedback and presentation before choosing two national winners, who will receive the top prize of six month’s free trading, £1,000 towards stock, free National Market Traders Federation membership and a business starter pack that provides everything hey will need to hit the ground running.

Graham Wilson, CEO of the National Association of British Market Authorities, said: “The markets industry desperately needs to recruit new traders, and the Make Your Mark in the Markets initiative is an excellent way of raising the profile of markets, while attracting new entrepreneurs as market traders.

“Last year we launched a successful competition and we are hoping that this year we will attract even more applicants, and make the markets an attractive place to start new businesses.”

For more information and to enter the competition, visit www.enterpriseuk.org/markets before March 22.