OVERJOYED business owners are preparing to move into the Victoria Shopping Centre after beating competition from hundreds of entries to win six months rent-free. 

The Bridge competition, run by Southend Council and national organisation SaveTheHighStreet.org, was launched over the summer in a bid to fill seven shops on the second floor that have remained empty for years. 

Independent businesses and start-ups were encouraged to put together business cases and put their names forward, with 250 initially expressing interest. 

A shortlist of just 45 names was put together and now the winning seven have been announced before moving in to the centre at the end of November. 

The Princess Emporium will offer personalised Disney-themed experiences at their unitThe Princess Emporium will offer personalised Disney-themed experiences at their unit (Image: The Princess Emporium) Winning businesses include clothing boutiques Dr Drip, Something About Rose, the Thrift Club and Dalarna Vintage. 

They will be joined by the Princess Emporium, which offers bespoke Disney princess experiences, Sacred Studios – a yoga class and wellness workshop provider – as well as Create 98, which offers art and craft workshops alongside home made food and drink. 

Dennis Baldry, manager of the Victoria Shopping Centre said: “Congratulations to all of the winners!

“We are very excited to welcome seven new businesses into the centre. The Bridge is a great opportunity and will certainly bring a vibrant and fresh energy to the centre and it is just fantastic for Southend-on-Sea”

In addition to six months rent-free occupancy of their unit, the winners of the competition will also receive expert support from advisors at SaveTheHighStreet.org.

SaveTheHighStreet.org carries on work on a range of initiatives focused on strengthening high streets across the UK.

Alex Schlagman, a founding partner of SaveTheHighStreet.org said: “‘All seven winners showed passion and determination about bringing something unique to Southend-on-Sea’s High Street, excited for the opportunity and platform to thrive by having their very own six-month period of rent-free space to trade from.

Southend Labour Councillor, Matt Dent has welcomed the initiative to boost the city's retail offeringsSouthend Labour Councillor, Matt Dent has welcomed the initiative to boost the city's retail offerings (Image: Councillor Matt Dent) The filling of The Bridge’s empty units has been welcomed by Southend Labour councillor, Matt Dent, who described the initiative as giving a helping hand to new businesses.

He added: “We always want to encourage people with new ideas and new businesses to take that risk and go out there and try and make it work, huge congratulations to all who have won, and I personally look forward to watching their journeys”.

The Bridge project has been funded by HM Government via a successful bid from Southend Council.