Soup on the menu at Southport Community Centre

A new recipe for business success will be served up for the first time in Sefton later this month.

Sefton CVS, working in partnership with the Social Enterprise Network (SEN), will stage the first Sefton Soup event at Southport Community Centre on Norwood Road on Thursday September 15th starting at 6pm.

Based on an American idea, and already run successfully in Liverpool, the soup concept is very simple.

Anyone can attend the event and in return for a donation on the door they receive soup, bread and – most importantly – a vote.

Four would-be entrepreneurs then pitch their business ideas to the crowd, which have a particular focus on tackling social and community issues.

After a chance to ask questions and consider the pitches, each audience member casts their vote for what they regard as the best idea, and the winner walks away with all the evening’s ticket profits.

Social Enterprise Network launched Liverpool Soup in May last year and to date the events have seen more than 40 social entrepreneurs pitch for funding, with over £5,000 being raised to support 14 new social enterprises.

The concept has been so successful that SEN is taking the idea on tour around Liverpool City Region, and Sefton CVS is helping them to launch the events in Sefton.

Mike Howlett of Sefton CVS commented: “We’re delighted to be working with the Social Enterprise Network on bringing this community crowdfunding concept to Sefton for the first time.

“The more people who attend on the night the more money the winner takes away to develop their business, and of course they also have the knowledge that complete strangers have given their idea a resounding vote of confidence.”

Anyone in Sefton with an ethical or community business idea they would like to pitch at the event is invited to email info@sefton4good.org.uk or call 0151 920 0726.

The event is open to the public on the night, and tickets for the night can be booked online.