A North East town centre indoor market has launched a new initiative to help entrepreneurs test out their retail business ideas by minimising costs and risks.

Middlesbrough’s Dundas Indoor Market, part of the town’s Dundas Shopping Centre, is offering a limited number of units on flexible terms for £60 per week all in, to start-up businesses and independent traders from across the region.

Businesses in the indoor market will also benefit from the shopping centre’s weekly footfall of more than 60,000 and the support of more than 20 fellow market traders.

The market’s new enterprise initiative is the brainchild of Dundas Indoor Market Manager David Harris.  He said: “We appreciate how costly and difficult it can be for businesses to get off the ground, so we are providing an opportunity to trade in an established market setting in Middlesbrough town centre at a hugely reduced cost and on flexible terms.  It’s a great way to try out a business idea in a secure, managed setting, especially in the run up to Christmas.

“Some of the 20 independent businesses in Dundas Indoor Market have traded here for more than 20 years, but we also have a strong track record in seeing businesses grow and move out into the larger retail units in the Dundas Centre.”

Robert Lewis runs low cost printers LD Printing, which supplies personalised gifts, canvas prints and other bespoke printed products.  Mr Lewis’s business has grown substantially over the past 12 months.  He said: “Dundas Market is an ideal location for any business in its early stages or just starting out. The units are cost effective compared to the main high street locations and the team here have given me the flexibility to expand and increase my workspace.”

Mr Harris continued: “We work closely with new traders to help them get established and we also work closely with local support organisations, so we would like to hear from any former SSI workers, graduates, job seekers or anybody who dreams of running their own business, and we look forward to seeing them in the market.”

Units are available from £60 per week, fully inclusive of utilities and rates, on flexible terms.  Further information is available from David Harris on tel. 01642 232552 or by email. david.harris@dundasindoormarket.co.uk or from the Centre’s website at http://www.dundasshoppingcentre.co.uk/units-let/, or from Richard Wilson at Dodds Brown on tel. 01642 244130.