Food and drink companies invited to enter Shropshire’s Dragons’ Den

Shropshire’s food and drink production companies are being invited to take part in a Dragons’ Den-style contest – for the chance to win six-months’ rent-free tenancy at Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre, a free pitch at both the Shrewsbury and Ludlow Food Festivals, and a tailored package of business support.

Organised by Shropshire Council, with support from the Shropshire Star, the Shropshire Dragons’ Den Challenge is aimed at businesses that have been trading for six months or more.

Entrants will be asked to identify how winning will impact on their product development, volume of sales, new markets and turnover.

The initial entries will be ‘shortlisted’ down to five finalists who will be invited to pitch to a panel of ‘Dragons’ on Thursday 19 November 2015 at the Food Enterprise Centre.

The Shropshire Dragons are: Clive Wright, Chief Executive of Shropshire Council; Beth Heath of Ludlow and Shrewsbury Food Festivals; Peter Guy, Advertisement Manager/Director of the Shropshire Star; and local chef Marcus Bean.

The pitch to the Dragons will be a mix of a presentation, product demonstration/tasting, and questions from the panel. Marks will be awarded based on each entrant’s presentation, product, financial knowledge (past and future), and their marketing/sales strategy.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business, said:

“The Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre is seen as a national example of best practice in the incubation of small food and drink companies.

“The contest aims to promote all the facilities and benefits that micro and fledgling businesses can access through renting a unit at the Food Enterprise Centre, while also giving a food or drink company the chance to take their business to another level.

“The Centre is already home to a number of successful businesses – and two of our tenants have enjoyed such success that they have recently had to move to bigger premises.

“Our hope is that the winner of this competition will go on to enjoy similar success.”

To enter the contest, email business@shropshire.gov.uk or call (01743) 252596 to request an application form.

For more information about the Food Enterprise Centre, visit www.shropshirefoodcentre.co.uk.

Further information

One of only 10 such centres in the UK, the Food Enterprise Centre opened in 2009 and is currently home to six tenants including: Zingh Foods, Oriental Food Express, The Little Round Cake Company, Merangz Limited, Purition and Market Fresh Foods. Small and large production units are available to rent on very competitive terms.

The Centre also has a café which can also be hired out as a demonstrator and taste kitchen for existing tenants, and for those visiting.

Shropshire Chamber of Commerce also has an office at the Centre, and is able to provide free export advice.