Pop-Up Shop Premises

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Ashley_Price

Ashley_Price

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  • #1
    Does anyone live in a town where the local authority or another organisation or individual have a shop premises that they let out on a regular basis to small businesses?

    I am thinking this would be a great idea for my town as the council do own a few shop premises which are currently empty and which could be used in a similar way.

    To clarify: The idea would be small businesses could hire it for a very short term (say between one and three months) to help promote their business and see how they would do in a shop.

    Some background:
    Our twin town of Waldshut-Tiengen in Germany started this before Christmas and it has been very popular. The council have taken over a shop premises, given it a make over, and it has some basic furniture and fittings which the pop up can use.

    I am going to soon be speaking to one of the "City Managers" to get more information but I wondered if there was a town in Britain doing a similar thing so I could speak to them about their experiences of it.
     
    Paul Kelly ICHYB

    Paul Kelly ICHYB

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  • #4
    Your council is the place to start - Town Centre team or the Economic Development team.

    The issue can be that the properties are managed by one department and the ED team oare different and they do not speak to/help each other.
     
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    Ashley_Price

    Ashley_Price

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  • #5
    Okay, to update on this:

    I had a video call with our German twin town this morning to discuss their pop-up shop.

    To give more information:

    Waldshut-Tiengen have rented a shop from a private landlord for a year, the shop had stood empty for two years. It's had a basic makeover and some shop fittings put in, and is let out each month to a small business. The small businesses pays €400 rent and a €400 deposit against damages, etc,. but otherwise the council pay for all the other costs. So, across the year there will have been 12 small businesses use the space.

    So, it gives very small businesses just a taste of what being in a shop is like without any long term contract or high costs to pay - if nothing else, being in the main street means their business will get a lot of promotion even if they decide not to rent a shop in the future.

    I was told it has been considered a success already (I can't give exact details currently as to why they say that) even though the scheme runs until October.

    So, I am just thinking if this would be a better way to give small businesses an opportunity that they may never get in the "normal" world?
     
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    Paul Kelly ICHYB

    Paul Kelly ICHYB

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  • #6
    This is a great way for people to get a a taster, however, they are still being shielded from the 'real life' costs involved if they were to do it themselves.

    You could speak to landlords and try to get the space free for a makeover and rates, which will reduce their costs and increase security!
     
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    HFE Signs

    HFE Signs

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  • #7
    I think it's a great idea, it provide a 'dip your toe in the water' situation for new businesses or for people nervous about making the commitment of a lease agreement. Also - I know a good place where they can buy roller banners ;)
     
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    Ashley_Price

    Ashley_Price

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  • #8
    Paul Kelly ICHYB said:
    This is a great way for people to get a a taster, however, they are still being shielded from the 'real life' costs involved if they were to do it themselves.
    Click to expand...
    Yes, but the idea is just to give them a taste, if you hit them with the full costs at this stage then I doubt any would be able to afford to take it up.
     
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    Paul Kelly ICHYB

    Paul Kelly ICHYB

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  • #9
    I agree, but if you keep them wrapped up in cotton wool, many never realise the real cost of business.

    I have many examples of this.
     
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    WaveJumper

    WaveJumper

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  • #10
    Having been in the "game" for years speak to private landlords if they have empty units they will be quite happy to have a pop up tenant, and they (although they may not tell you) just want to cover the business rates and if applicable service charge costs as this will all be coming out their bottom line. Plus of course nice to have the lights on especially if in a shopping centre.

    You can easily check out towns / cities etc especially for main centres, check the centres website, see who they use as agents and contact them in the first instance. We did many a deal like this and you would be on one months notice to get out.
     
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