Pop up shop grants

We have a low vacancy rate for our retail properties and, at any one time, have a very limited availability of empty shops appropriate for short term interim use. However, we will keep your pop up grant application on file and forward these to our Asset Management Team when opportunities arise.

We recognise the immense creativity and innovation that exists within the borough and the vitality that this brings to our town centres and other areas of activity. We want to support the creative use of empty properties and reduce the amount of vacant properties that exist.

“Pop ups” provide a great way to make creative use of these available spaces.

To assist with establishing creative uses the Council will provide up to £500 to help fund the amenity costs (water/electricity etc.) for those uses that we consider will make a positive contribution to the area.

If you have an idea and know of a vacant property you should review the attached submission criteria. If you feel that you fit the criteria, and are in need of assistance you should contact the landlord, and see if they are willing to let their property be used for a short period of time.

After this, write a short business plan, setting out your proposal according to the attached criteria, and we will make an assessment and advise you on whether we are able to provide funding support.

Primarily we are looking to fund A1 uses (shops) but consideration will be given to other uses such as galleries and other complementary uses.

Any “Pop up” use funded by the Council must have consideration to the surrounding area. We will not assist uses that will degrade and devalue the existing area.

Please note that we will now consider funding business rates for the duration of the proposed pop up project only.

Pop up shop criteria (pdf 41kb)

For more information, please contact:

Chris Horton
Town Centre Project Co-ordinator
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent,
London
E14 1BY

Email:dr.majorprojects@towerhamlets.gov.uk