Adventure Circus School through to national TestTown final

The Perth-based trapeze and circus start-up saw off competition to progress to next year’s Scottish final with 9 winners

Adventure Circus, founded by Gemma Simpson and assisted by Stephen Armour, is through to the 2015 TestTown final - a scheme which offers entrepreneurs the chance to experiment with business ideas for real in town centres around the UK. Photo: Gemma Simpson

Adventure Circus, the fun new group fitness school taking Perth by storm, has scooped top prize in the regional Test Town business initiative.

The Test Town challenge makes town centres exciting places by giving young entrepreneurs the chance to display their business initiatives in a public place.

Describing the competitive process, co-director Stephen Armour said: “After our week of trading, we turned our attention to producing a robust business plan and presentation for the TestTown panel.

Gemma and Stephen's Adventure Circus has taken Perth by storm so far. Photo: Gemma Simpson

“We spent a lot of time on our 20-page plan and presented it on Monday 2 November. We were thrilled to have been announced the winners at the Green Room celebration in Perth.”

Working alongside Perth and Kinross Council and the St John’s shopping centre, Adventure Circus directors Gemma Simpson and Stephen were given space to showcase their new business ideas during October in Perth city centre.

Adventure Circus took advantage of the October school holiday week from 13-18 October to perform and give members of the public a chance to try out floor and aerial circus skills.

Gemma said: “We have more adults than ever participating in our weekly classes and we now have a waiting list for our popular children’s classes.

“We have also seen a spike in private workshop bookings, parties and performance opportunities, but we are always eager for more, so we are urging locals to get in touch.”

Stephen added: “Having operated since April, our business idea is sound, and we have had a wonderful opportunity through TestTown to test the market further.

“We are so excited for our future and really hope that we can win the £10,000 prize to help us create more instructors, classes and our own show for Perth.”

Amongst the regional winners of the competition are other Scottish businesses AM Weddings and Events (Carrickfergus) and Karen’s Cakes (Falkirk).

The TestTown initiative is open to all entrepreneurs with a new business idea. Participants can sell goods and/or provide services on a charitable or for-profit basis, with the emphasis placed upon the use of Britain’s town centre’s as a hub for new business ideas.