Ipswich council trials £20-a-week rent

Entrepreneurs in Suffolk have been given the chance to rent a retail unit in a shopping centre for £20 a week.

Ipswich Borough Council is using government funding to offer business space in the Buttermarket Shopping Centre for a trial period.

Successful applicants will not have to pay rent, business rates or insurance but will only have to cover utility bills while they trial their business.

The council said it wanted to encourage ideas while using empty retail space.

Councillor Richard Atkins, the member for planning and economic development, said: "We do think this is an excellent scheme and want to help people get started in business.

"The retail incubator could give them that chance and I hope we do get more applications."