How to Select and Secure a Location for Your Popup Shop

by Startacus Admin
A couple of weeks ago we did a piece giving you lots of info on the kind of things you will need to consider before starting up a popup shop. Your response was phenomenal with many people requesting that we dig a little deeper into the logistics and specifics of the whole thing. Well folks, you spoke and we listened, so here it is, the first in our series of popup follow-ups. Today we’ll be taking you through some of the things that will help you to find and secure a location for your popup shop. Enjoy!
How to select and secure a location
This seems like it will be the most complicated and time consuming part of the process and some people feel so daunted by the prospect that they simply give up. There are websites which specifically cater to this exact purpose - to rent from retailers on a temporary basis - ranging from a duration of 1 day and upwards. Some that we have had a look at are We Are Popup, Appear Here and Popup Space. These rental sites will often quote a price which is all inclusive and encompasses rent, council tax, heating, lighting, insurance and so on - but be sure to look into this as contracts will vary.
Some other sites offering commercial rental opportunities are now also featuring short term retail spaces so you would be wise to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal. These sites are great if you want to set up a popup shop in a major city, however you may find it more difficult to locate a retail space through them in many smaller towns and cities - in this case you may want to consider some of the following tips:
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Obviously the first thing that you should do is have a walk around your chosen area to identify if there are any vacant retail spaces that would be suitable.
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You may well be able to find out who owns the retail space by simply asking around in the local area, however if you are unable to do this, contact the land registry office and for a small fee they will provide you with the information you need to make further lease enquiries. Your local town or city hall will also have records of buildings which have been subject to property tax and this may also yield some useful info.
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Remember that a popup shop doesn’t necessarily have to be situated in a retail location. Look into some unconventional spaces such as church halls, community venues etc. as these can add an added novelty and level of intrigue to your popup shop.
Published on: 21st October 2013
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