I’ve written before about space and entrepreneurship. However, last year I was focused on the final frontier – or, more precisely, the incredible applications of space technology – now we’re looking at an equally interesting ‘space challenge’ for entrepreneurs a little closer to home. We’ll soon release a new report with Enterprise Nation covering everything from shops and offices, to markets and coworking spaces.

I won’t break the embargo, but it won’t surprise you that the report covers the challenges to bricks and mortar businesses, many of whom have struggled in recent years.

But while the future of retail and leisure has changed dramatically, I remain a bricks and mortar optimist for one simple reason: people think local shops and services are important for their communities. It’s why recent governments have poured money into things like the Future High Streets Fund, Towns Fund, and Levelling Up Fund. They’re responding to voters, and while some might argue that revealed preferences show that people would prefer to shop online, both can exist alongside each other.

Just consider Westfield, whose Stratford and White City locations offer the whole shebang: retail, dining, leisure, offices, hotels and residential. The future of bricks and mortar is about this sort of diversity. The two centres generate significant additional expenditure for the benefit of local businesses, including an estimated £18m-£25m annual spend by centre employees.

Westfield is also keen to open up their space to more entrepreneurs, which is why we’re partnering with them on their Grand Prix competition, which offers creative and eco-conscious food, fashion, beauty, home, leisure, and services brands the chance to win a free retail space.

The winner will get a pop-up shop or kiosk for one year, £50,000 contribution to design and fit it out, £200,000 worth of media promotion, and a chance to compete for the European prize in Paris to kickstart European expansion. Your company should have been incorporated less than seven years ago; operate fewer than five UK stores; be able to operate a physical point of sale; and sell goods or services to individual consumers. Entries are open until 30th June.