Dragons' Den-style business bid to regenerate community

Winners of the Retail Rocks competition will get business support

Budding entrepreneurs have been invited to enter a Dragons' Den-style challenge to regenerate an Aberdeen community.

Winners of the Retail Rocks competition will be handed the keys to one of seven shop units in Torry, rent free, for a year.

A video booth will allow hopefuls to pitch their ideas.

The scheme, backed by the public and private sector, is the first in Scotland and will be rolled out to other areas.

Retail Rocks is being funded by the Scottish government, the city council and local businesses.

The winners will also get 18 months of support from a business mentor and help with stock.

'Tremendously exciting'

Aberdeen City Council chief executive Sue Bruce said: "This is a tremendously exciting project that allows people with drive and focus to create a genuine business opportunity that will benefit them and help regenerate the wider community in Torry.

"Aberdeen is at the forefront of this concept and will be the benchmark for rolling out Retail Rocks to other forward-thinking communities."

Jane Wood, chief executive of Scottish Business in the Community and one of the business leaders who came up with the concept, said: "By regenerating the high street we can help the community flourish, create jobs and reinvest money back into the area."

A website has been created that gives details of how interested individuals can apply.