Pop-up firms given chance to shine in The Galleries

A florist, upholsterer and afternoon tea host are just three new businesses ready to showcase from a new pop-up shop in Wigan town centre.
Susan Southern, Kerry Bannister, Deborah Tyrer, Anne Hardman and Katharine Duffy at the soon-to-open pop-up shop in The GalleriesSusan Southern, Kerry Bannister, Deborah Tyrer, Anne Hardman and Katharine Duffy at the soon-to-open pop-up shop in The Galleries
Susan Southern, Kerry Bannister, Deborah Tyrer, Anne Hardman and Katharine Duffy at the soon-to-open pop-up shop in The Galleries

Following the successful PopUp Business School course in October, Wigan Council has helped seven new businesses secure temporary premises in The Galleries shopping centre. And, each will be open for business across three weekends in December, just in time for the Christmas rush.

Located in the former Ethnic Emporium shop next to Home Bargains, the new Wigan Emporium pop-up shop will host all seven businesses each with their own space.

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It will open for business on Friday for the first three weekends in December.

Maureen Holcroft’s community interest company, Daffodils Dreams, will hold a “chill and chat café” and tombola with items donated by Tesco and Asda.

The profits will go towards supporting the children and families of Poolstock, Worsley Mesnes and Goose Green who find themselves living in poverty.

Maureen said: “The Pop Up Business School helped the Daffodils team grow in confidence, gave us self-belief, gain new skills and helped us to make valuable contacts.

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“We believe that the pop-up shop in Wigan Emporium will be the start of the Daffodils Dream journey and will help us be recognised as making a difference to those in need who are living in the Wigan community.”

Susan Southern’s company, Cherished with Style, has been operational since February. With the help of PopUp Business School, she was able to further develop it.

She will also be located in the Wigan Emporium selling hand painted and restyled furniture, gifts and home accessories.

She said: “We are very grateful to Wigan Council for funding this project and for allowing us the unique opportunity to promote our businesses in the town centre.”

The full trading in Wigan Emporium is:

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Amelia Alice Floral Design: experienced wedding and funeral florist;

Pyro Art Craft: pyrography personalised portraits, gifts and crafts;

Afternoon Tea Wigan: café for afternoon tea;

The Artisan Upholsterer: upholstered furniture;

Elements of Nutrition: tailored nutrition and health advice packages and gift vouchers;

Cherished with Style: hand-painted and restyled furniture and homeware; and

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Daffodils CIC: supporting families of Poolstock, Worsley Mesnes and Goose Green

Council leader David Molyneux said: “We are absolutely committed to supporting small, independent businesses to grow. They add to the identity of a place and offer bespoke, welcoming services.

“That’s why we wanted to work with PopUp Business School, who offer invaluable advice, guidance and help those who have ambitions of working for themselves but may not know where to start.

“We’re elated that these seven budding entrepreneurs have utilised the skills taught throughout the course and that we have been able to provide them with temporary premises. A similar venture is also opening at Makinson Arcade on Sunday.”

For more on the Wigan Emporium, visit www.thewiganemporium.weebly.com