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The public is being asked to vote on the next new business it would like to see at a city shopping centre.
Haymarket Shopping Centre in Leicester has launched a competition offering four weeks' of free space for a fledgling retail venture worth at least £2,000.
Over the past two weeks a panel of judges has interviewed entrants in a Dragons' Den style set-up, and has now shortlisted its favourite four business ideas.
Now the centre needs the public's help to pick a winner.
Centre manager Phil Toyne said "Our shoppers' opinions are important to us and we feel this is a great opportunity to let them tell us what business they would like to see in the centre."
From Thursday, short videos from each of the four finalists will appear on the Haymarket's Facebook page. All you need to do to cast your vote is click that you "like'" a video of your choice.
The winner of the Big Idea competition will be awarded £1,000 to get the business off the ground and be given a month's free retail space in the centre during April 2012. The management team at Haymarket Shopping Centre will be on hand to give support.
The judges were Mr Toyne, Leicester Mercury business editor Ian Griffin and TK Maxx city store manager Jackie Brown. An outline of each of the four finalists' ideas is provided below. You can vote from Thursday at:
www.facebook.com/ haymarketshopping
Ruth Singer, 36, of Leicester.
"I want to run a craft and design workshop where anyone and everyone can learn new practical skills, to make and create. I want to share my skills as a professional textile designer-maker and a sewing author to help people rediscover the pleasure of making things themselves.
"Kirstie Allsop's TV shows just go to show that in financially-straitened times, the trend now is to make things for yourself. The £1,000 prize money would be used for kitting out the workshop space."
Sisters Laura Weston, 28, of Netherhall, and Naomi Roseby, 31, of Braunstone.
"Our big idea is to create a place where local artists have an opportunity to sell their arts and crafts to the community. "As crafts people, we have struggled to find outlets to sell our wares, as most shops in the city centre are based around large businesses. We would sell all arts and crafts.
"The £1,000 prize money would be used to create areas within the shop to sell the goods, and to hold demonstrations and craft classes."
Sally-Ann Gough, 32, of Oadby.
"I'm looking to run a six-week baby massage course. Each session will cover a different area of development and activities will be based around household items or very cheap resources to enable duplication at home. A fact sheet will accompany each session to ensure techniques and information can be shared with other people caring for the baby."
The £1,000 prize money would go on training, toys, web design and insurance.
Victoria Wallis, 24, of Narborough.
"My idea is to develop a company which will offer bespoke clothing and accessories at an affordable price.
"I have done extensive research into consumers' shopping habits for my dissertation and have found there is a gap in the market for "mass customised" fashion products.
"I want to design a basic range which can then be tailored to a customers' measurements and colour preference.
"The £1,000 prize money would be used to design and produce samples of the first range of products. I would also need to buy fabrics and have equipment and a machinist."
Whilst I admit this isn't the most glamourous shot of myself and it's not the best PR piece I've ever written, I'm pretty excited that my business skills have been in the press for the first time. This article is to be published in the local paper today. My business idea has been shortlisted for an award, I'm in the final 4 at the moment....watch this space!
