A BUSINESSMAN is in the running to become Britain’s best market manager.

Pete Hope, director of the GO4 Market Café, in Trinity Street, Colchester, has been nominated for a national award to honour the country’s high street heroes.

If he makes it into the top three shortlist, due to be announced next month, Mr Hope could secure a share of £10,000 prize money for the Colchester café.

After a public online vote, the Future High Streets Forum judging panel, made up of retail, property and business experts, would pay a visit to the business.

Providing a welcoming place to browse, eat and drink, the market has breathed new life into the Grade I listed Trinity Church and delivered solutions to many of the town’s social problems.

The café itself was founded through social enterprise GO4 with just £100.

Mr Hope said: “I’m very pleased to get nominated and flattered in actual fact.

“The money would have to go back to the market in some form if I won, so equipment for the traders as without them it wouldn’t work.

“But we also have 40 stakeholders in Holy Trinity including staff and volunteers, and see 400 customers each week so it’s quite a lively café and market place.

“Possibly the money would be best spent on promotion and looking at we can market ourselves better.”

Karen Taylor, founder of Colchester Soup, had nominated Mr Hope for the Great British High Street competition.

She said: “The Market Café is not only an excellent place to seek out a treat, it’s also great to know in doing so we support the charitable aims of the operation.

“Pete and his team deserve our respect having made the market a unique destination in Colchester’s oldest, Saxon built, building.

“We’re all really proud of him and hope all this hard work will be recognised nationally.”

The competition is run by the Department for Communities and Local Government and sponsored by a host of shopping brands and the British Council of Shopping Centres.

Alongside the cash prize, Google has joined the search and are offering all category winners a visit from the Digital Garage on Tour – a skills training workshop for retailers and small businesses.