Member Article

Success For Middlesbrough Market's Business Creation Scheme

A Middlesbrough town centre indoor market is celebrating the first success of its business creation and growth scheme.

Beauty business Beauty2Glo moved into Middlesbrough’s Dundas Indoor Market, part of the Dundas Shopping Centre, in October 2016 as part of the market’s enterprise initiative to help entrepreneurs test out their business ideas by minimising costs and risks. The business has been so successful that next month (February 2017) it is moving into its own premises on Middlesbrough’s Marton Road, close to James Cook Hospital.

Run by trained beautician Natalie Buckley, Beauty2Glo has flourished in Dundas Indoor Market and built a strong customer base.

“We are proud that Natalie is now ready to move on and out of the market, as this is a ringing endorsement of what we are trying to achieve with this scheme, and I’m sure her business will now thrive on its own. This is exactly what our enterprise initiative is all about. It gives traders the chance to try out their business ideas in a successful market for £60 per week all in,” says Dundas Indoor Market Manager David Harris.

Middlesbrough resident Natalie Buckley is a supporter of Dundas Indoor Market’s initiative. She says: “I would highly recommend this scheme to anyone thinking of setting up their own business. David Harris, the Market Manager is so friendly and made it so straight forward from start to finish. If it wasn’t for this scheme I would never have been able to set up on my own.”

Mr Harris continues: “We are developing a real track record in helping new businesses get started, grow and create jobs. In addition to Natalie we have helped former SSI workers AnnMarie and Charlie Vickers set up Auntie Ambas Treats and Sweets. They have already expanded, providing a seating area for customers in the market, and employ two full time and two part time staff.

“We have also taken on Ebenezer Hair Boutique as part of the Enterprise Scheme creating two part-time jobs, and only last month (December 2016,) Brickyard Bakery, owned by top chef Ed Trewhitt, opened in the indoor market, creating a further five new jobs.

“Many more local businesses have started out in the market and flourished before expanding and becoming independent. Dundas Shopping Centre’s very own Festival Store, Tik Tok, Homeblinds and Buckshees Military supplies also began life in the market.

“We are keen to talk to anyone with a business idea. 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.”

Businesses in the indoor market benefit from Dundas Shopping Centre’s weekly footfall of more than 60,000, the support of more than 20 fellow market traders, and a focused marketing campaign.

Two Enterprise Initiative Units remain available at the Dundas Indoor Market 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 Richard Wilson at letting agent Dodds Brown on tel. 01642 244130.

Picture caption: Natalie Buckley (right) with Constance Jambwa in Dundas Indoor Market outside Natalie’s business Beauty2Glo which has been so successful it is transferring to its own premises.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Reay Public Relations .