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The wait is over for successful Win a Shop candidates
With a fantastic response to the Win a Shop competition, Princes Quay called in the expertise of the judging panel and after a long morning of deliberating – the semi-finalists have been announced.
Centre Manager, John Magee was joined by Hull BID’s Kathryn Shillito, FEO’s Jan Brumby, local entrepreneur Jonathan Elvidge and property expert, Mickola Wilson from Seven Dials Fund Management. The team had some very tough decisions to make with a wide range of high-quality entries from delis and cafes to clothing and furniture brands, but the final four have now been chosen.
Meet the semi-finalists…
Hull Sailor
Hull Sailor is a clothing and gift brand inspired by Hull’s fishing heritage and tattoo culture. They launched in 2017 and have since retailed both online and in-store. Their hand printed, original products have proved really popular and are currently available to purchase in PoorBoy Boutique.
Goblin Fruit Kitchen
Don’t be fooled by the name! The Goblin Fruit Kitchen is a sandwich shop that also provides a home delivery service, plus bespoke menus, corporate catering and children’s party boxes. They provide vegetarian and vegan options and currently have a shop on Beverley Road.
BG Restorations
As a trainer restoration provider, Billy Gill takes old, worn-out trainers and restores them back to their previous glory. He provides 4 different services – cleaning, restoration, colouring and repair. He started in 2015 and has since gone viral with over 22,000 followers on Instagram.
Ivy & Gold
Bespoke lux bridal stationary specialists Ivy & Gold cover a range of services, focussed around weddings and special events. Products include invitations, hen and stag do apparel, personalised gifts and chunky knit wool throws. The business was launched in 2014 by sisters Sami and Steph Bourne.
The unit fit for the prize has not yet been chosen as Princes Quay will offer a unit that best suits the winning retailer. This could be a unit on the High Street level of the centre, alongside existing brands such as Skechers and River Island, or it could be on the newly developed Outlet Level, where the winner could be trading alongside Tommy Hilfiger or Weird Fish.
Judges have contacted all semi-finalists and will be speaking to them individually as they move forward in the competition.
Centre Manager John Magee said:
“We were overwhelmed with the number of high-quality responses we received and it’s been an incredibly tough decision for the judging panel. We’re so excited to speak to the winners and find out more about their businesses – as we enter the final stages of the competition we can really start to envision how the finalists could fit in with Princes Quay. We’d like to say a huge thank you to all that entered, it shows that there’s a real entrepreneurial spirit within the city and we’ll be keeping an eye out to see how these businesses grow.”
The competition, which has been supported by a range of local business, is an incredible opportunity and will see the winner receive:
- Rent, service charge and business rates funded by Princes Quay
- Card payment processing and a free PDQ machine for six months, provided by Payment Sense
- Business mentoring from expert business advisor, Jonathan Elvidge
- Legal advice from Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP
- Accountancy support from Harris Lacey & Swain
- High speed broadband for 12 months, provided by Connexin
- Marketing, online and in-centre promotion and social media support
- 10 hours free creative design services from ICG design agency
- PR support including regular press releases about ongoing success, through the local and regional media from Sowden + Sowden
- Store signage – onsite survey and discussion meeting, fascia sign, window and wall graphics and installation by Designs Signage Solutions
Finalists will get the opportunity to meet the judges and present their business plans in the next stage of the competition.
