SHAFTESBURY LAUNCHES ‘SOHO INCUBATOR’ POP-UP SHOP COMPETITION TO FIND NEW RETAIL TALENT

Shaftesbury has today launched a new ‘Soho Incubator’ initiative giving budding UK brands with sustainability credentials across fashion, beauty, lifestyle and homeware the chance to win a free three-month pop-up shop this autumn/winter.

The chosen emerging brand will receive full support from Shaftesbury and This Is Soho to set up and launch for the first time in the iconic West End village, sitting alongside a host of independent and flagship brands such as RÆBURN, Oliver Spencer, Universal Works, BLEACH and Misan Fabrics. Along with the pop-up space the winners of the competition will also win £5,000 towards internal fit out plus exclusive 1-2-1 business mentoring.

The unique retail opportunity sees Shaftesbury look for brands with “big dreams and great attitudes” who are ready to take the next step with a physical store.

Entrants will be judged on their sustainability credentials, strength of business, marketing plans, creativity, design excellence and consumer appeal by a judging panel made up of Shaftesbury Retail Director, Samantha Bain-Mollison, Shaftesbury Head of Retail Activations, Emma Steele, Shaftesbury Head of Sustainability, Matt Smith, Grazia Shopping Editor, Julia Harvey,  Head of Retail at RÆBURN, Jolyon Bexon and Contributing Editor at TheIndustry.fashion, Tom Bottomley.

Emma Steele, Shaftesbury’s Head of Retail Activations commented: “Soho is home to many exciting independent and concept stores, so this initiative allows us to continue our support of UK-based brands and entrepreneurs. We are seeking creative ideas that will fit with the existing Soho retail mix. The project follows the successful Seven Dials Incubator project which saw four female entrepreneurs win pop up spaces in our Seven Dials location.”

Matt Smith, Shaftesbury Head of Sustainability commented: "We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to UK business owners and entrepreneurs. With sustainability being at the forefront of Shaftesbury's decisions, it is intriguing to see what new concepts could come to the area and align with our already conscious retail mix. This Is Soho is all about fresh and new ideas and we are looking forward to welcoming an upcoming sustainable brand to the destination."

There is an opportunity for more than one brand, depending on the quality of entrants and what are the best and most fitting brand adjacencies in Soho.

Launching today on the Soho website, www.thisissoho.co.uk, entries will be open for a six-week period, with the winner announced in September. To be in with a chance of winning this incredible opportunity, entrants are invited to complete the form on www.thisissoho.co.uk and follow @ThisIsSoho for the latest updates. All eyes on the ultimate retail prize.

Terms and conditions apply, please see here. The competition is free to enter.

For more information, images and interviews please contact Sister London:

 meghan.ryan@sisterlondon.com / melissa.langlands@sisterlondon.com 020 7287 9601

Follow @ThisIsSoho and visit ThisIsSoho.co.uk for full updates, news and information

Notes to Editors:

Soho

Soho is the creative hub of London’s West End with a vibrant mix of independent and concept fashion stores, restaurants and bars. Shaftesbury’s Soho portfolio includes 39 shops and 31 restaurants, bars and cafes across several Soho streets including Berwick St, Broadwick St, Denman Street and Brewer Street.

Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury owns and manages a 16 acre property portfolio in the liveliest parts of London's West End.  The portfolio comprises of restaurants, cafés, pubs and shops, extending to apartments and offices in the highly popular, sought-after and prosperous locations of Carnaby, Seven Dials and Chinatown, together with substantial ownerships in East and West Covent Garden, Soho and Fitzrovia. 

All our properties are close to the main West End Underground stations, and within ten minutes’ walk of the two West End transport hubs for the Elizabeth Line, at Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street.

@shaftesburyplc shaftesbury.co.uk