Empty premises in hard-hit North Wales high streets could soon be filled thanks to an innovative grant scheme.
Up to £10,000 funding packages are available through the Welsh Government Town Centre Entrepreneurship Fund for entrepreneurs who are keen to open a business in Wrexham, Bangor, Rhyl or Colwyn Bay.
The Town Centre Miwtini start-up programme – a collaboration between Enterprise Hub @M-SParc and Wrexham Enterprise Hub – wants to hear from interested parties with business ideas that could lead to them occupying a unit in one of the struggling retail districts.
One-day courses will be held on each of the following dates with key information on themes including guidance on the fund, lease guidance, finance, marketing, customer service, and Smart Towns, urban areas that use different electronic methods and sensors to collect data, which in turn is used to shape decision-making and manage services and resources more efficiently.
■ September 8: 29 Conway Road, Colwyn Bay – miwtinitowncentre colwynbay.eventbrite.co.uk
■ September 15: Costigans, Rhyl – miwtinitowncentrerhyl.eventbrite.co.uk
■ September 22: Kyffin Café Deli, Bangor – miwtinitowncentrebangor.eventbrite.co.uk
■ September 29: Enterprise Hub, Wrexham – miwtinitowncentre wrexham.eventbrite.co.uk
A recent report by the Welsh Retail Consortium revealed nearly one in five shops in Wales is empty and the country has the second highest vacancy rate of any UK region or nation, behind the North East of England (20.6%).
Enterprise Hub manager Sara Roberts said this is a great opportunity for anyone with an idea for a venture and looking for commercial premises to take it to the next level and reverse this national trend.
“We would encourage people to capitalise on this funding, especially anyone who has started a new business from home in lockdown,” she said.
“We want to help breathe life into the high streets of Wrexham, Bangor, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay as like other town centres nationally they have struggled with the challenges of the pandemic and the rise of online shopping – they need to bounce back."
Visit hwbmenter.cymru/en/mutiny. Alternatively, call 01248 858070 or email post@hwbmenter.cymru.
