Mercato Metropolitano (MM), part of the MMovement, has announced its ‘dreaMM campaign’; an initiative that provides a local entrepreneur with the means to realise their ‘dreaMM’.

As many feel the strain of the cost-of-living crisis and potential new business ventures are put on pause, MM wants to support a local citizen to take the first step towards turning their ‘dreaMM’ into a successful business.

MM is a movement (MMovement) that brings people together through food and community engagement. MM believes that everyone should have access to good, nutritious, and affordable food. Building a sustainable and inclusive future for both people and planet is at the heart of MMovement.

Now, the marketplace, which runs a number of sites across London and is soon to open a new site in Ilford, is inviting new entrepreneurs and ‘dreaMMers’, which share its vision and values, to join the ‘MMovement’ – by opening applications to secure a rent-free, three-month tenure in one of MM’s vibrant community markets.

Alongside the rent-free tenure, the selected ‘dreaMMer’ will have access to free 1-2-1 consultations with the MM team, to help them create a business plan, source sustainable, local ingredients, receive branding and marketing advice, and much more.

They will also be receiving support and advice, as needed, from one of MM’s current trading partners.

Additionally, MM will support the winner with financial resources to help cover the fixed costs associated with the pop-up.

The initiative is part of MM’s ‘dreaMM campaign’, which aims to discover and support new talent, ideas, projects – leaving everyone involved inspired and motivated to pursue their ‘dreaMM’.

Andrea Rasca, Mercato Metropolitano’s CEO and Chief Leader of the MMovement, said: “Community building is at the very heart of the MM ethos. We believe in encouraging human interaction, in the spirit of community and engagement, and in creating thriving, vibrant urban communities – and what better way to do that than sitting around a table and sharing good food with friends and family?

“As part of this, we’re passionate about supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs who have innovative and sustainable business concepts, to help bring their dreaMM to life, and to make a living from their culinary craft.

“Unfortunately, the current cost of living crisis poses a major threat to local businesses and to those looking to embark on a new adventure. So we want to provide all the necessary means to enable one person’s dreaMM business to come to life.

“Here at Mercato Metropolitano, we’ve built a wonderful model which offers all of the tools that our trading partners need – we source the best ingredients, sort out the waste and recycling, the cleaning, and much more. All we ask them to do is cook.”

Submissions are open until 30th May, with applicants asked to answer a few key questions, either in writing or through a short video. Shortlisted entries will then be invited to pitch their concept in-person to a number of panelists at the dreaMM pitch day on Thursday 15th June 2023, following which a winner will be selected.

For more information, or to apply to become a ‘dreaMMer’, visit https://mercatometropolitano.com/dreamm-with-us/