The grim reality of high overheads and business rates can be crippling for any budding entrepreneur attempting to bring their vision to market. Given they provide an invaluable opportunity for fledgling start-ups to trial their ideas without breaking the bank, it’s hardly surprising that pop-up spaces have become increasingly popular. But research released today by EE demonstrates just how vital a role the temporary premises have come to play, revealing that almost a third of businesses setting up in the next year will utilise a pop-up.
The research from the telecoms giant reveals that 11.6 million people are looking to start their own business in the next two years; of these, 29% expressed that they plan to do this via a pop-up. Ahead of the release of The Pop-up Retail Economy, an annual report it conducts with the CEBR, EE has also revealed that 57% of people believe a pop-up is a great way to start a business, whilst 39% are inspired by the success of the temporary premises.
For this reason, EE is throwing its weight behind former Elite Business cover star Appear Here and its ‘Space for Ideas’ competition, which aims to find the next generation of the UK’s top pop-up entrepreneurs. Those that pass muster with the all-star panel of judges – which includes Julie Deane, another EB cover star and founder of the Cambridge Satchel Company, Steve Aukland, CEO of the Evening Standard, and Ross Bailey, founder and CEO of Appear Here – will win two weeks of retail space in London, an EE 4G Pop-Up Bundle, £3,000 to build out their pop-up shop and ad space in the Evening Standard.
“Whether you’re starting your first business on your own or you’re an established company testing out a new location or product, pop-ups have become a tried and tested business strategy,” said Mike Tomlinson, director of small business at EE. “With partners like Appear Here, we’re bringing down barriers to setting up businesses.”
“We’re launching the inaugural ‘Space for Ideas Competition’ to give away three shops to find the three biggest brands of tomorrow,” said Bailey. “Some of the most exciting retailers and start-ups of the moment started out in Appear Here’s spaces, from Finery to Crosstown Donuts and PRESS London. This summer we hope to find three more at the start of their journey.”
Entries open today and will close on June 29, with the winners being announced on July 16. We recommend all you aspiring pop-up proprietors head over and check it out. 
