Communities Secretary Eric Pickles. File picture: Dave Thompson/PA Wire

Whitehall opens doors to business start-ups

Monday, December 17, 2012
7:58 AM

A Government department is to open its doors to fledgling businesses to help them display their wares.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is opening a “pop-up store” inside its headquarters near London’s Victoria Station, offering low-cost retail floorspace to entrepreneurs.

Every two weeks, six new business start-ups will move in, sharing costs and trialling their products with the public.

Ministers hope the scheme can be a blueprint for utilising empty floorspace in town centres across the country.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “We are absolutely determined to support the high street and we know pop-ups are a great way to bring empty shops back to life and get new businesses going.

“It will also showcase how we can unleash more of our best and brightest young entrepreneurs on to the country’s high streets.”