First Retail Factor Pop-Up Shop Opens in The Mall

The Mall Blackburn has opened the doors of its first ever Retail Factor pop-up shop, which is home to four aspiring local businesses.

Fatema Fulat who owns Irresistible Cupcakes, Amanda Logan and her dress making business Tutus and Tulle, Sam Houghton and Jack Godden and their contemporary clothing design company Krosl and Sue Seddon who sells exclusive Kease Keyrings will now compete for the coveted title of Retail Factor Champion 2014.

The shop will be open for three weeks and throughout this time the judges will assess how well each finalist is performing based on presentation, customer service, feedback and sales.

At the end of the three-week trading period one of the businesses will be selected to be the county’s representative in the national finals, where they will go up against five other hopefuls from across the UK to be in with the chance of winning £1000 towards stock and mentoring from leading business experts.

The judging panel consists of Lancashire Telegraph journalist Bill Jacobs and Nicola Clayton, who is Head of Commercial & Business Development at Blackburn College. They join returning judge, Salma Chaudhry, who is a Business Advisor at the Regenerate Pennine Lancashire and The Mall’s General Manager Loraine Jones.

Loraine said: “The Mall’s first ever Retail Factor pop-up shop looks great and I would like to thank everyone here at The Mall for all their hard work in recent weeks.

“Seeing all four finalist businesses together and raring to go is fabulous and their enthusiasm, mixed with their fantastic products is a real recipe for success.

“The judges will be visiting them throughout the three weeks to assess how well they are doing and I am sure they will all get a warm welcome from our shoppers here in The Mall.”

Mike Damms, Chief Executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, attended the event and said: “"It is wonderful to see people using their creative skills to launch their own business, and this recognition and opportunity in The Mall will help them to raise awareness of their products.Their spirit of enterprise is remarkable. Such skills are the backbone of a healthy economy and Lancashire is full of passionate people that want to work to better themselves and ultimately, the local community."

Mark Stevenson, Customer Relations Adviser at Newground, also attended and added: "Blackburn is on the up and shops such as this prove the town is brimming with talent and unique products that add real value. Projects such as the Retail Factor nurture new business, which is fantastic as we need to differentiate our offering to bring people into the town.

“It also fits perfectly with our work on the BID, which is aimed at protecting the future of Blackburn by setting out a clear vision to increase visitor numbers in the coming years."

The Retail Factor is focussed around supporting and nurturing retail start-ups and established small retail businesses in the local community.

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Picture shows: (L to R) Fatema Fulat, Sue Seddon, Amanda Logan, Mark Stevenson, Sam Houghton, Vickie Mawdsley, Mike Damms and Jack Godden

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Mall is the UK's leading community shopping centre Fund. Managed by Capital & Regional and Aviva Investors, The Mall Fund owns 6 shopping centres across the UK – home to approximately 667 retail units and attracting approximately 1.4 million shopping visits every week.
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For further editorial information please contact:
Paula Holden or Rachael Ireland at ICG on 01772 679383. Out of hours contact is Paula Holden on 07772268378