Wellington Market to open new food court

The opening of the food court will meet the growing demand for street food and it has been backed by Telford & Wrekin Council’s Pride in Our High Street Revive and Thrive Grant Scheme.

The scheme has awarded start-up grants to many of the small businesses who have secured stands in the court.

Park Street Kitchen, Bubbly’s Spuds, Escape the Robot, Gorgeous Pizza, Nancy’s 3 Little Pigs and Red Dragon Noodle Bar have each been awarded a grant of £2,500.

Each business will offer a different cuisine, giving market customers the widest possible choice.

The council’s grant scheme forms just part of the council’s Covid recovery programme, providing opportunities for new businesses to start up, thrive and create new job opportunities for local people.

Councillor Lee Carter, cabinet member for neighbourhood, commercial services and regeneration at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “We’ve prioritised record funding into our local high streets over a number of years now, but as Telford and Wrekin recovers from the impact of coronavirus it is more vital than ever that we provide practical support to our businesses, both large and small, to help them grow and thrive.

“We have been through a uniquely challenging year but our revive and thrive grant programme is about helping build a better future for our high street businesses and bringing life back to our high streets.”

He added: “Whether your appetite runs to baked spuds or noodles, Wellington Market’s new food court is sure to offer something to tickle your taste buds. We are delighted to have provided such a great opportunity for these new food businesses, who will help make this popular market an even bigger attraction.

Delighted

"It also builds on the food theme developing in the town and the grants already awarded to businesses like The Walnut, Nannies Bakery and The Orbit.”

Councillor Graham Cook, ward member for Haygate, said: “I’m delighted that funding from Telford & Wrekin Council has been awarded to budding entrepreneurs wanting to start their own businesses.

“The opening of a new food court adding to Wellington Markets existing offer brings a new dynamic which will attract shoppers and visitors into the town. I’d like to wish all the traders the best of success and look forward to trying the delicious food on offer.”

The start-up grants awarded to the six businesses are part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s three-pronged High Street Revive and Thrive Fund, aimed at helping local high streets and their businesses recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Covid crisis resulted in many job losses but also prompted people to think about a change in career direction, such as creating their own high street business.

The grant offers newly self-employed entrepreneurs the opportunity to test out their business idea with a high street pop up.

This could be in the form of a stall in one of the town’s historic markets such as Wellington or Newport or even in the form of a pop up in an empty retail unit. The grant is available in Wellington, Newport, Oakengates, Madeley, Dawley and Ironbridge.

The council’s business support team is providing plenty of training and advice about self-employment, and the grant will enable people to dip their toe in the water and establish if self-employment is right for them and if their business idea is viable in the longer term.

The grant funding ranges from £500 to £2,500 and applicants will need to set out a clear proposal in a simple application form, describing the activity they want to undertake, what they require funding for and evidence that they have sought to establish best value through quotes.

The grant will pay for rent for the period of the pop-up trial, fixtures and fittings, a percentage of initial trading stock and marketing costs.

Application forms can be requested by emailing joy.mcgeown@telford.gov.uk