Britannia | Shop Star Application Form

Aspiring entrepreneurs and independent retailers are being given the chance to launch or grow their business in the heart of Hinckley thanks to an exciting new competition from the Britannia Shopping Centre.

The Centre is searching for Hinckley’s next retail success story with the launch of Shop Star, a unique competition offering one winning business a FREE shop for 12 months alongside a comprehensive business support package worth up to £35,000.

The competition is open to both new and existing businesses with ambitious retail ideas and a passion for bringing something fresh to the town centre.

The successful applicant will benefit from a substantial support package including:

• A one-year licence to operate a retail shop
• Opportunity to extend the licence beyond the initial term
• Rent-free premises for 12 months
• Free service charge for 12 months
• Free insurance for 12 months
• 50% business rates reduction for two years
• One year of free Hinckley BID support
• Two years’ access to Seedl training
• One-to-one mentoring and guidance from the BID Manager
• Shop fit and interior design support
• Access to business networking breakfast events
• Free marketing support (terms and conditions apply)
• £500 accountancy support voucher from Armstrongs Accountants (terms and conditions apply)
• Free shop signage
• Free legal advice package provided by Thomas Flavell & Sons Solicitors (terms and conditions apply)

To enter, please complete the form below before 6th August 2026.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch their business concept to a judging panel at The Britannia Centre week commencing 31st August 2026.

Applicant Name

First NameLast Name

Email

example@example.com

Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (00000) 000000.

Business / Company name

Is this a Limited Company?

Company number, if applicable:

Company information

We would love to get a better understanding of your business as part of the judging process. Please include any information about your brand identity, values, and target audience that you think is relevant.

Product or service offered:

Website:

Trading since (date):

Background information and trading history (100 words max):

What do you think makes your business special? (100 words max)

Annual turnover 2025/26 (if applicable)

Annual turnover 2024/25 (if applicable)

Do you have a business plan or a vision of how you would like to grow your business over the next 5 years? (100 words max)

Are you attaching images ofproducts or current shops / displays etc?

Upload any supporting files here:

Shop Experience

How will you transform the space into an engaging store and offer a great experience for customers? (250 words max)

What element to the visual display (fixtures/ props/themes) would you look to introduce to stand out and attract customers? (250 words max)

What are your marketing plans to raise awareness of the shop and drive footfall from opening day? (250 words max)

Will you be ready to trade from 1st October 2026?

Can you confirm that you have read and understand the terms & conditions of entry (below)?

Terms and Conditions

· One business will win the opportunity to occupy a designated retail unit free of rent for 12 months.

· The agreement includes service charges but excludes utility costs.

· The licence agreement will include a landlord rolling break clause after the first three months.

· Applicants must be ready to commit to a 12-month trading period from 1st October 2026.

· The successful applicant must be able to open and trade as soon as reasonably possible following handover.

· The winner will be responsible for staffing the shop and supplying approved fixtures and fittings.

· The unit is suitable for A1 retail use only, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Use Classes Order 1987.

· Any business intending to sell alcohol for off-site consumption must obtain the necessary premises licence at its own expense.

· The designated shop unit may be subject to change and will be handed over as seen.

· Applicants must operate fewer than 5 stores nationally and must not have experienced an insolvency event within the previous two years.

· The winning business will be selected based on product suitability, quality, and compatibility with the existing tenant mix.

· Marketing and PR support may include website features, social media promotion, and in-centre advertising, subject to availability and submission requirements.

· The £500 accountancy support package may be used towards selected services including:

o First-year accounts

o Personal tax returns

o Xero setup and training

o Hubdoc setup

· Accountancy support is subject to standard onboarding and anti-money laundering checks.

· Free legal advice package provided by Thomas Flavell & Sons Solicitors (terms and conditions apply) includes:

o Lease guidance and documentation

o Employment documents and workplace policies

o Up to 30 minutes of employment advice per month via calls or emails

· All prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

· Shortlisted applicants who are not selected as the overall winner may still be offered retail space on preferential terms, subject to availability and agreement.

· The competition is administered by The Britannia Centre. All decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.