Pop-up shop guide launched for county borough’s town centres

Bridgend County Borough Council has produced a guide about pop-up shops for potential tenants and landlords.

As high streets adapt to offer a more diverse experience for visitors, it is recognised that a more flexible approach is needed when letting vacant spaces in town centres, particularly for small independent businesses.

To help potential tenants navigate the process of setting up a pop-up shop, a new step-by-step guide has been produced to answer key questions about business rates and planning. The guide accompanies the Town Centre Index as tools to help businesses locate the right space for them.

Despite the turmoil of the Covid-19 pandemic, the high street has remained a place where people can access a wide range of services, including banks, building societies, opticians and pharmacies.

Emerging out of this period of uncertainty are some exciting and innovative ideas that are changing the way people live and work within a town centre location. Leases on premises are becoming shorter as landlords are being asked to adopt a more flexible lettings approach.

The idea of pop-up shops, which were once the preserve of quirky towns and city suburbs, has now become more mainstream and they are recognised as a way to harness entrepreneurial spirit and help people set up a successful business. This new guide explains the process to any businesses considering launching a pop-up shop and details the support available.

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Corporate Director for Communities Janine Nightingale

The guide is available on the Bridgend County Borough Council website.

For more information about starting a pop-up shop in Bridgend, Porthcawl or Maesteg town centre, contact the council’s Town Centre Manager Andrew Highway on 01656 815225 or email andrew.highway@bridgend.gov.uk.