CALDICOT Town Team (CTT) is seeking help from local tradespeople to transform their ‘pop-up’ shop.

The team is offering the unit in Caldicot town centre at heavily discounted rates, with the team looking to regenerate the town.

Aaron Reeks, director at Caldicot Town Team, said that the unit will offer would-be business owners the chance to see if trading in Caldicot town centre is “viable”.

“The unit will offer anything from wall space for artists or the entire unit, available for two weeks at a time.”

Depending on the success of the initiative, the team may look to offer longer contracts at a later date.

“We want to test trade in town to see if it is viable,” Aaron added.

“This is a massive opportunity to get a foot in the door without worrying about overheads.”

CTT will also be offering the space free of charge for other community groups.

As part of Caldicot’s Section 106 monies, CTT secured £4,466 for the initiative. The funding was approved at a meeting of Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) last Wednesday (4th May).

Councillor Phil Hobson said: “What the town team here have done is found, very cleverly, a low risk way for people to test run a business to see if it’s going to work.

“Setting out on your own is a big step and there’s always a risk.

“This is putting money into initiatives for the town which is exactly what the Section 106 funding is for.”

Council leader Peter Fox said: “I’d like to thank the town team for constantly driving forward and not losing enthusiasm and I know they’ve done it against a bit of adversity.

“I hope this is another of their initiatives that really pays off.”

The unit is in some need of attention, and CTT are hoping that local tradespeople will spare some of their time to help prepare the shop for its opening.

An electrician is on board and a roofing company are coming to look at a leak in the roof. They have received donations of paint already, and are looking for volunteers to help.

It is hoped that the unit will open from the start of June.