NOTHING ventured, nothing gained ... but a new Dunfermline venture could gain you £85,000!

Dunfermline First, the city’s new events-based organisation, have launched ‘Venture Street’, an Apprentice-style business competition to discover and support local budding entrepreneurs.

Following the success of the Carnegie Trust UK Test Town pilot last year, Dunfermline First now wants to provide a similar, Dunfermline-based project aimed at revitalising the city centre.

It has teamed up with Fife Council, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, Fife Business Gateway and Bank of Scotland to deliver the exciting project between 14th November and Christmas Eve, with the Press acting as media partners.

Several local businesses including the Romanes Media Group, LinkLever, CCW Legal, Thomson Cooper, GS Group, Sign Plus, DM Hall, Havelock Europa and Furniture Plus are also part of the partnership.

Venture Street will see Bruce Street become the centrepiece of a range of Christmas events, including a spectacular lighting display, taking place as part of an enhanced Dunfermline Winter Festival.

Shortlisted entrants will get the fantastic chance to trial their business idea at a city centre location over the busy festive trading period – which attracts more than 20,000 visitors in the run-up to Christmas.

The winner(s) will take home an incredible £85,000 prize to help set up and sustain a profitable business.

The package includes one year’s business accommodation, accountancy services, business banking, consultancy and legal advice – all free – plus mentoring and support from Business Gateway and professionals.

Venture Street is the brainchild of local businessman and former Dunfermline Rotary Club president Alan Mutter (pictured) – who’s looking forward to helping nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs.

He said, “I built up my own business in Dunfermline and would like to see more people coming in to the town to breathe new life into what is a wonderful place to stay and work in.

“I offered my expertise and experience in a voluntary capacity to Dunfermline First which is taking the lead role in this venture. It’s my way of giving something back to Dunfermline which has been very good to me over the years.

“By bringing together a wide range of partners, our hope is that budding entrepreneurs of all ages will benefit from experts in their field to give them a greater chance of success in their ventures.

“We are grateful to the Dunfermline Press in taking on the role of media partners to both encourage people to take part and also offer the opportunity to report on and follow up their progress as they set out what we hope will be a great journey for them and for the town of Dunfermline.” The competition is open to anyone over 16 or groups of up to six people, with a legitimate business idea, and there’s also a section for high schools to showcase their ideas.

Successful applicants will have to pitch their plan to a panel and will be provided ongoing monitoring and mentoring, as well as invited to attend business seminars.

Existing businesses can also enter, provided they trade from the new location. The closing date for entries is 12th September. For more information, log on to www.venture-street.co.uk.