Organisers behind Mere Octagon ready to take on new entrepreneurs with Diss Dragons' Den

Organisers behind The Mere Octagon are urging budding entrepreneurs to come forward with ideas, following the success of their first pop-up shop at the centre.

Late last year, the defunct tourist information centre was repurposed by the Diss Community Team, offering start-up businesses short leases of one to three months to test their business plans.

The first pop-up shop at the centre, Local Flavours – showcasing local food producers and specialist shops in Diss – has been a resounding success since opening in November, having sold out of all of its stock during Christmas.

Community team chairman Alan Franks said he was now on the lookout for new ideas to meet the challenge.

“We’ve got to a position now and we are ready to introduce new businesses,” he said.

“We want inspiring entrepreneurs, and they need to have a business plan, the sort of thing they take to an investor or a bank – a bit like Dragons’ Den.”

If you think you have a business idea that could fit the bill, contact Mr Franks by email at alanfranks@me.com.