Grant for new restaurant in Andover
Captains receives Business Incentive Grant
Test Valley Borough Council has awarded the first £500 instalment of a £1,000 Independent Retailer Grant to Ramazan Bilgic, for his new restaurant, Captains Mezze Bar and Fish, at 16a Bridge Street.
Captains Mezze Bar and Fish is Mr Bilgic’s second restaurant in the town as he also owns the Wimpy franchise in the High Street. His new restaurant serves scrumptious seafood and mezze with a Mediterranean feel. It has already proved popular with those living in Andover and also attracts regular weekly customers from the surrounding villages of Marlborough, Hungerford and Stockbridge.
St Mary’s Ward Member, Councillor John Cockaday, presented the cheque on Monday, 23 May to Mr Bilgic’s son, Carlos Bilgic. Councillor Cockaday said: “I am very pleased to award this grant to Mr Bilgic. He is an experienced and successful businessman who has invested a lot in the town. As well as providing delicious food, Captains Mezze Bar and Fish has also provided job opportunities for those in the area.”
Mr Bilgic has lived in Andover for more than 20 years. He said: “I am grateful to Test Valley Borough Council for their support with my new venture. The Independent Retailer Grant is a fantastic scheme which gives local businesses a boost during the early days of launching.”
Recipients of the £1,000 grant are awarded £500 after three months of trading and a further £500 six months later. To be eligible for the grant, new or existing independent businesses must occupy a town centre ground floor unit which has been vacant for at least one month.
For more information about the Council’s Independent Retail Grants, click here.