Chiefs give entrepreneurs a grilling

Buy photos » Business chiefs Mark Corfield, Chris Swan, Muj Rahman, Boyd Douglas-Davies, and Brenda Killigrew prepare to grill the applicants 44012041ncr www.buyphotos247.com.

BUDDING entrepreneurs have been pitching their plans to a panel of experts in a bid to win backing to open a new business in Redditch Town Centre.

Seven applicants have had their business plans scrutinised and undergone a grilling from the five 'chiefs' - Redditch United chairman Chris Swan, Brenda Killigrew of IDC and The Old Needle Works, Mujibur Rahman, owner of Rilys, Boyd Douglas-Davies, CEO of Hillview Garden Centres and Mark Corfield, community business manager at Lloyds Bank.

They will then report back to Redditch Town Centre Partnership which will make a final decision on who should receive backing under the Pitch Your Plan scheme.

The project provides help with rent, as well as low interest loans, business mentoring and other practical support to set-up eateries and independent stores in the Church Green, Unicorn Hill or Alcester Street area.

Ros Sidaway, a director of RTCP, said between three and four ideas could be funded from the £100,000 pot available.

"Some of the ideas match those on our priority list. It will be interesting to see what comes back from the chiefs."

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