PopUp Moreton reveals its first three tenants...
PopUp Moreton unveils One-Stop Love Shop
PopUp Moreton reveals its first three tenants, who – together – are creating a one-stop love shop in the run up to Valentine’s Day. The three tenants launching PopUp Moreton on February 1, and staying in situ right up until February 14, are the Dating Fairy Godmother Lynette Berry, Rosablue’s Penny Menato and Julia Lucas of Objets d’Amour.
Lynette Berry will be looking to scatter love dust on single PopUp Moreton customers in the hope that they find love in time for Valentine’s, either through her private introduction agency Cherrypick Introductions (www.cherrypick-introductions.com) or her off-line dating club with a difference, The Cherrypick Club. Lynette says, “The latter is perfect for people who don’t like or don’t do online dating, either because they are concerned for their safety or do not use the internet. It’s particularly popular among the older generation, who may be new to dating after the break-up of a long-term marriage or relationship or even a bereavement.”
Rosablue (www.rosablue.com) is a soft furnishings and giftware brand, which is the brainchild of husband and wife team Luca and Penelope Menato. Together, they create unique, quintessentially British products, such as the cupid cushions pictured above. While Luca designs, prints and finishes the fabrics, Penny puts her sewing skills to use making everything from cushions and doorstops to notice boards and wash bags. As Penny explains, “We already have a small shop in Cheltenham with a loyal following, but PopUp Moreton is giving us the chance to expand our group of fabric fans slightly further afield”.
Objets d’Amour (www.objetsdamour.co.uk) is a new Cotswold-based online boutique selling stylish but affordable gifts, which are – wherever possible – handmade in the UK. Owner Julia Lucas is particularly keen to showcase products that “have a story, that come direct from the hands of someone who is passionate about what they do, creative, courageous and entrepreneurial”. The Objets d’Amour range is ideally suited for Valentine’s with many products featuring a heart motif, such as the mug and spoons pictured above.
While the first three companies selected to take part in PopUp Moreton are gearing up for their two-week stint, there is still a chance for other small local businesses to get involved, as not all the slots have been taken for the shop’s eight-week run (February 1 to March 28 inclusive). Anybody interested in taking part, should visit the Old Market Way website (oldmarketway.com) and complete the PopUp Moreton application form.
PopUp Moreton is part of the national enterprise campaign StartUp Britain, which ran a series of Pop-Up Shops in London in late 2012, offering young companies an opportunity to trial their products in a cost-effective retail environment. Moreton-in-Marsh is the first location outside the capital to host a pop-up shop as part of this fantastic new initiative.
In return for a fee of just £100 (to include rent, insurance and Wifi access to enable people to carry on working while in situ), each company will be able to spend two weeks trialling a physical retail space, generate marketing buzz and raise the profile of their products and/or company, gain invaluable customer service experience, and test the market through a low-risk and relatively inexpensive method.
Pictured: Emma Bridgwater 'Big Love' mug, available from Objets d'Amour
