A pop-up shop dedicated to British retail start-ups opened last week on one Britain’s most prestigious shopping destinations. And comes as part of a deal between Pop Up Britain and the The Crown Estate to take space at its recently completed St James’s Gateway redevelopment.
The initiative, which is aimed at helping to support the high street entrepreneurs of the future, will offer 30 retail start-ups a week-long opportunity to sell their products on one of the world’s most famous shopping streets.
The first ten start-ups to occupy the shop on Monday all manufacture their products in the UK. Products include tweed jackets made in England with textiles produced in Nottingham mills, bone china tea cups made in Stoke-on-Trent, pewter dog bowls spun in Sheffield and handbags made from up-cycled leather in London.
StartUp Britain co-founder Emma Jones said: “We want to put British start-ups on the map and this store in Piccadilly will be a showcase of the passion and creativity that’s out there in this country.
“These small businesses represent the future of British retail and have a role to play in reviving the British economy.
“PopUp Piccadilly wouldn’t be possible without the support and wisdom of organisations like the Crown Estate, John Lewis, Intuit and Vistaprint – who have all helped us offer an amazing opportunity to fledgling businesses.”
PopUp Britain offers short-term opportunities to start-ups and micro businesses from all over the UK. It is part of a pioneering initiative aimed at matching online retail start-ups with empty high street shops. The scheme, which is backed by private sector funding, has so far opened shops in Poulton-Le-Fylde, near Blackpool, Camberley in Surrey, Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire as well as several around London.
People interested in becoming part of the shop, should apply at www.popupbritain.com/apply
