Five new businesses including a silversmith, fashion designers and a maker of ‘hibiscus cola’ will be competing for the TestTown Wythenshawe champion’s crown this weekend.

The Five businesses run by people aged 16 – 30, will be at big marquee in the Birtles, Wythenshawe Civic Centre, and the winner will have the right to enter the TestTown UK national final in the Autumn.

The competition is part of the UK’s biggest initiative to help young people bring their energy and ideas to the country’s ailing high streets.

One of the finalists, Rachel Wilson, from Didsbury, trained as a silversmith before setting up Marie Jewellery – her new bespoke design service for special events and one-off pieces.

“I entered TestTown because I saw it as a great opportunity to help me to launch my company. I’ve sold my designs at markets before, but this will be my first experience of retailing on a high street. TestTown came along at the perfect time and it would be amazing to go through to the national final”, says Rachel, 26.

“I have created a collection of special pieces which are inspired by Manchester. I love to walk around the city centre and find fine details in the architecture of buildings like the Town Hall and the Midland Hotel to inform my work”, adds Rachel, who says that her long-term ambition is to open her own studio in Manchester.

The winner of the regional final in Wythenshawe will progress to the national final, which is to be held in historic Cambridge.

Other regional finals for TestTown will be held from June to August in Middlesbrough, Rhyl, Kirkintilloch, Bury St Edmunds, Perth and Coleraine.

Amongst the other finalists are Zymurgorium, An alternative, community-focused meadery and brewery company from Wythenshawe, inspired by the ground-breaking Moss Cider project in Moss Side.

They plan to offer a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic organic drinks, raw materials for which are foraged in the local area. Their non-alcoholic range, including ‘hibiscus cola’, will be available at TestTown and Smoooth, a new, health-conscious team of street smoothie sellers, promising instant hits towards an affordable five-a-day.

Follow the progress on Twitter and join in the town centre debate @TestTown2014.

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