Start-ups get pop-up space at former New Look Oxford Street shop
A new Oxford Street store offering pop-up space to independent fashion brands will launch pre- Christmas in a space formally occupied by New Look.
The west end site has been vacant for more than a year. The 1,000 square feet on the ground floor will be temporarily used for an art installation and the 5,000 square feet on the first floor will be shared by small retailers, with many focused on sustainability.
The new store, called ‘The Collect’, is aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, diversifying the retail offer in the area, and attracting more shoppers to the West End. The store is set to open on 26 November and will remain open until 24 January 2022.
Businesses on the first floor include: Bleaq, which represents a group of independent designers that make clothes and jewellery, vintage clothes seller Archive Six and retail disrupter Lone Design Club.
The landlord has provided the space to Westminster City council on an interim basis, with property agent James Andrew International representing the building’s owner. New West End Company has also been involved in making the project a success.
Councillor Matthew Green, Westminster City Council cabinet member for business, licensing and planning, commented: “We’re determined to do all that we can to bring the buzz back to the West End this Christmas. The latest visitor numbers are encouraging but this is a make-or-break festive season for many businesses.
“The pressures of COVID and online shopping have changed high streets forever and we know that more must be done to support the ongoing revival of the area.”
