Pop-up shops across city giving much-needed boost to economy
A LEADING property expert believes the phenomenon of pop-up shops is helping the high street in Bristol survive the rigours of the recession.
Mike Bothamley, from the Bristol office of international law firm DAC Beachcroft, has claimed the craze is helping plug some holes in the retail sector.
This week a task force met to look at the problems faced by struggling shops and town centres in the wake of the recession.
The panel was set up in the wake of the review carried out by retail expert turned TV presenter Mary Portas.
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Bur Mr Bothamley says that the craze for pop-up shops has helped ease the blow in Bristol.
One of the latest, a homeware shop in Quakers Friar, was opened by husband and wife team Rog and Cat How.
Mr Bothamley said: "A proliferation of these informal sites sprang up during the Olympic summer, in particular restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, cinemas – you name it, there is a pop-up version.
"In Bristol, the pop-up scene is already well-established.
"Cabot Circus and Park Street are home to a number of pop-up art galleries, often selling work which shows a strong Bristol connection."
He added: "Earlier this year, a pop-up bakery in Stokes Croft joined an eclectic mix of temporary fashion outlets and there is a growing 'supper club' scene with local chefs using empty restaurant premises to create one-night-only dining experiences."
Pop-ups are not limited to high street shops or vacant restaurants in Bristol, with the Creative Common providing an arts and events space in a circus-style big top that sprung up next to the city's Temple Meads station earlier in the year.
The pop-up scene in Bristol is also set to benefit from a cash injection as Bedminster has been chosen as one of 12 "Portas Pilot" areas that will receive £100,000 as part of a scheme that will see Mary Portas try to breathe new life into the nation's high streets. The money will help to fill empty shops in North Street, East Street and West Street and to create an outdoor theatre space where performances will be held in pop-up venues.
Mr Bothamley said: "With the launch of the Bristol pound last month, which aims to help boost local trade, it is an increasingly exciting time for Bristol's business market.
"What's more, the currency already has the support of 350 local businesses, making it the UK's largest alternative to sterling.
"It's fair to say that pop-ups have swiftly become a hugely popular part of the fabric of modern urban life but, as clients look increasingly towards them as a viable commercial option, what are the legal implications for landlords and tenants?
"For landlords, there are many positive effects including keeping units open and avoiding empty rates.
"For tenants, too, pop-ups can offer flexibility and an opportunity to test new markets.
"But, for both landlords and tenants, there is the potential for problems. Landlords need to ensure their agreements are watertight and that tenants are not inadvertently granted unintended statutory rights.
"For instance, if granting a short-term temporary agreement at a lower than usual rent, landlords need to be sure the arrangement is finite and that provisions to terminate the agreement are clear."
Comments
by robertjessete
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 3:37PM
“Bravo to the Post for reporting on the resurgent small businesses of Bristol. Pop-ups are great!”