Govt opens up floor space to encourage start-up shops

The government has done its bit for small businesses and new start-ups by opening up a brand new pop-up shop in its own headquarters.

Indeed, the Department for Communities and Local Government will be delivering low-cost retail floorspace in Whitehall in collaboration with StartUp Britain.

Six new firms will be able to use the shop space every fortnight in a programme ministers hope can be recreated across the country.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles said of the scheme: "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, so we thought 'why not open one right here in the department?'.

"It will also showcase how we can unleash more of our best and brightest young entrepreneurs onto the country's high streets."

Ministers also unveiled plans last week to invest £55 million into the Business Finance Partnership, with an additional £55 million set to come from the private sector.

Posted by Emily Smith

Date published 17 Dec 2012 | Last updated 17 Dec 2012