THERE’S still time to enter the Mercury’s competition to find Weston’s Next Top Businessman – and win yourself a rent-free company HQ for a year.

We have teamed up with Legal & General Properties to offer a business unit at Weston Industrial Estate to the best new business start-up idea.

The idea is to help provide a leg-up for a would-be entrepreneur at a time when many new firms are struggling to keep their heads above water.

Russell Crofts, of real estate agency Knight Frank LLP, which handles lettings at the estate, said: “It is very exciting to be involved in this competition.

“Our clients are leading the way in assisting with the wider efforts to encourage growth in industry across the country, and I am very much looking forward to finding Weston’s Next Top Businessman. It is so rare to find a landlord as forward thinking as Legal & General, and we urge the business community to put forward their plans.”

And our competition has been heralded by business experts in the community, too.

Terry Gilbert, of business support organisation North Somerset Enterprise Agency, said: “Premises are always one of the hardest pieces for start up business particularly with leases sometimes for 12–14 years and occasionally quite difficult conditions.

“Last year we helped 120 business start up in the area and at least 50 per cent of them were looking for something within their budget to allow them a first foot on the ladder.

“Therefore this prize is unique and well thought out. In the near future we ourselves will be offering incubator offices for start up businesses as we realise how important this is in the early stages of a business. Somebody will be a very happy recipient.”

The competition is open to anyone within the BS postcode, and the winner will be picked by a panel of business experts.

You can view full terms and conditions – and download your application form – by clicking on the link on the top right hand side of tyhis page.

Interested parties are also invited to view the unit for themselves. An open afternoon is being held at unit 47 of Weston Industrial Estate off Winterstoke Road, from noon to 2.30pm.