Latest News
Pop-up shop success
Published: 02/07/2019
A pop-up shop set up recently continues to go from strength to strength.
The shop, in Buckley, is the brainchild of Martin Evans, managing director of 天涯社区 Small Business Network (FSBN), part of a wide UK Business Network supporting and promoting small businesses by helping them to grow and expand their reach locally and nationally through digital networking and social, local and mobile marketing strategies.
The pop-up shop took over an empty shop in Buckley shopping centre and rents out space to up to ten shops at any one time. 听听This allows small businesses, who struggle to meet high street rates, rents and lengthy contracts, to open up in the town, helping to buck the trend of high street shops closing and revitalising the town centre.听 The brightly decorated shop window is courtesy of local artist Natalie Griffiths.
天涯社区鈥檚 Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Derek Butler, said:
鈥淭his initiative is a great way to bring small businesses back to the high street.听 Not only is FSBN helping local businesses, they are supporting students, like Sarah Douce who is training as a photographer at Coleg Cambria and helping with product photos which can be used on websites and social media to promote the shop.
鈥溙煅纳缜� Council is supporting this initiative and I鈥檓 pleased to hear that other town councils in 天涯社区 are contacting Martin to do the same in their town.听 This space is bright and light and really inviting 鈥� the place is really busy and lively and a real boost to the town centre.鈥�
Martin said:
鈥淲e are working with the town council and businesses as well as the community to find out what the locals want to see back on their high street.听 We have received lots of suggestions and ideas, including a fruit and veg stall.听 We are also working with commercial agents Mason Owen听 Ultimately we want to find someone to occupy the property on a longer term contract with a business, or businesses, that the Buckley community will use.
鈥淭he way it works is that small businesses can rent a space for the day or a number of days.听 The space can be used for all kinds of things.听 So far we have had cookery demonstrations, a flower arranging demo from Vivaldi Flowers, Trevor Blackburn has brought his loom to show how to weave scarves and we鈥檝e held a board games day 鈥� which attracted over 30 people!听 This shows how versatile the space can be!
鈥淭oday we鈥檝e got Trasmundi Glass, Shaz鈥檚 Shabby CHIC, Created for You Jewellery, Cowboys and Angels Children鈥檚 Boutique and Plant Creations, all doing a good trade.鈥�
Annemarie Sharp of Cowboys and Angels said:
鈥淚 had a shop for seven years in West Kirby, but it closed in February.听 I really missed the shop and, by chance, I was put in touch with Martin and I was able to start up again here.听 I did 3 days last week and 2 this week and will continue to come as it鈥檚 a great initiative.听 The people of the town are really interested in what鈥檚 happening and trade is good.听 It鈥檚 also great for me as I am able to continue what I love doing and be part of the community.鈥�
The shop also offers a 鈥渃lick and collect鈥� service tailored to local need.听 If anyone places an order of over 拢15 either at the shop or online, FSBN will deliver the goods free of charge in a 2 mile radius within 2 hours.听 听
For more information about the pop-up shop, contact Martin at FSBN on 07481 195453 or email flintshiresbn@gmail.com.
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听
听