Member Article

Campaign to marry start-ups with empty shops

Independent entrepreneurship campaign, StartUp Britain has launched a scheme to open empty high street shops to start-ups who are in desperate need of a home.

StartUp High Street has won the support of Business Secretary Vince Cable, and offers a new opportunity for fledgling retailers, who will in turn help to rejuvenate the high street.

A pilot store in Richmond called PopUp Britain is set to open later this month, with the first six start-up businesses installed.

Emma Jones, co-founder of the national start-up campaign, said: “StartUp High Street gives small start-up businesses a fantastic opportunity to scale their businesses and become a part of their high street.

“We’re seeing record numbers of people setting up businesses, and this new wave of entrepreneurs are starting out small and online.

“This initiative offers them a chance to test out new markets as well as get their products in front of big names like John Lewis.

“By giving start-ups access to empty shops across Britain, we hope that as StartUp High Street evolves, it will help provide a much-needed adrenalin shot to the local British shopping experience.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The government believes that start-ups are crucial to driving the growth of the economy, as demonstrated by our recent funding of the StartUp Loans scheme.

“The opportunity provided for entrepreneurs under the StartUp High Street initiative will give new businesses important access to the high street and offer them the support they need early on to help them to thrive.

“The scheme will be a welcome addition to our high streets, opening up shops, displaying enterprising spirit and showcasing the vital support on offer to help new businesses to succeed.”

Another component of the campaign is ‘PitchUp’, a programme which will give start-ups the opportunity to pitch their products to high street retailer John Lewis, with a view to getting their merchandise on the store’s shelves.

Lord Young, the Prime Minister’s Enterprise Adviser said: “StartUp High Street is a great example of what can and needs to be done to support small businesses.

“They are the driving force of the economy and now more than ever we’ve got to do everything we can to help them find ways to grow.

“Most start-ups exist online already, selling their products via the web. This opportunity will allow them a low-cost avenue to a whole new market, with the new experiences that will bring. This initiative by StartUp Britain should be applauded.”

Sir Charles Dunstone, co-founder of The Carphone Warehouse and chairman of Talk Talk added: “I support StartUp High Street as a way to bring high streets back to life and get empty spaces back into use.

“Small businesses will have an opportunity to test their market and make sales and their presence on the high street should lead to higher footfall for all retailers. This has to be a good thing.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .