Mercato Metropolitano offers rent-free tenure in its food markets as part of new initiative

21-Apr-2023 - Last updated on 21-Apr-2023 at 15:50 GMT

Food market operator Mercato Metropolitano is launching a new initiative that will see one lucky entrepreneur offered a three-month, rent-free tenure at one of the group’s London outposts.

The initiative is part of Mercato Metropolitano’s ‘dreaMM campaign’, which aims to discover and support new talent, ideas, projects.

“Community building is at the very heart of the Mercato Metropolitano ethos,” says Andrea Rasca, CEO of Mercato Metropolitano, which currently operates four market sites across the capital in Elephant & Castle, Mayfair, Wood Wharf and Elephant Park.

“As part of this, we’re passionate about supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs who have innovative and sustainable business concepts, to help bring their dreaMM to life, and to make a living from their culinary craft.

“Unfortunately, the current cost of living crisis poses a major threat to local businesses and to those looking to embark on a new adventure. So, we want to provide all the necessary means to enable one person’s dreaMM business to come to life.”

Alongside the rent-free tenure, the selected ‘dreaMMer’ will have access to free 1-2-1 consultations with the Mercato Metropolitano team, to help them create a business plan, source sustainable, local ingredients, and receive branding and marketing advice.

They will also be givin support and advice, as needed, from one of Mercato Metropolitano’s current trading partners.

Additionally, Mercato Metropolitano will support the winner with financial resources to help cover the fixed costs associated with the pop-up.

“Here at Mercato Metropolitano, we’ve built a wonderful model which offers all of the tools that our trading partners need – we source the best ingredients, sort out the waste and recycling, the cleaning, and much more,” adds Rasca.

“All we ask them to do is cook.”

Submissions are open until 30 May 2023, with applicants asked to answer a few key questions, either in writing or through a short video. Shortlisted entries will then be invited to pitch their concept in-person to several panellists at the dreaMM pitch day on 15 June 2023, following which a winner will be selected.

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