INDEPENDENT shops and businesses in Swindon are being called forward by television retail guru Mary Portas for a new Channel 4 series.

The show’s producers are currently looking for independent retailers in the Swindon area that could benefit from Mary’s help.

They are keen to hear from any business owners or managers who would like fresh ideas to bring customers through the door and put money in the till.

Swindon’s last dealing with Mary was its failed application for a parachute payment from the Government to boost its ailing high streets in 2012.

Both Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett were among more than 370 authorities that applied to the Government to be among a host of areas to get a cash boost of up to £100,000 as part of the so-called Portas Pilots scheme.

But neither town was named among the 15 pilot areas local government minister Grant Shapps announced, to follow the 12 awarded funding in May 2012.

Bids were invited following a review by Mary in December 2011 and the second wave of ‘Portas pilots’ entitled beneficiaries to a share of £1.5m.

To apply for the show email mary@optomen.com or call 0203 227 5987.