Source: City of Portsmouth
Local entrepreneur and e-tailer JAQUARD&Co are the second business to open in the city centre Portsmouth Pop Up shop. This business started online last year and has already achieved a six figure turnover selling quality home furnishings and décor. They will open for business on Saturday 2 November in the Portsmouth Pop Up shop located in Cascades.
Paula Haq, entrepreneur and owner of JAQUARD&Co said:
“I am thrilled to take on the Portsmouth Pop Up shop as a new experience for one of my brands. Not only will it give me exposure and new insights, but it is also a development for my business that I am grateful to explore.
With the success of JAQUARD&CO online, I would love to see my small business expanding here in Portsmouth alongside the other upcoming brands I’m working on.
The Portsmouth Pop Up scheme is a great opportunity for me to test run a physical store alongside my online business and grow my business”
The Portsmouth Pop-Up shop, a joint venture between Portsmouth City Council, Cascades, and Flude, opened in February to address the increasing demand for business space in the city. The first tenant, Goly Natural, a local natural skincare business, has been so successful that they plan to establish a permanent shop next year.
The Portsmouth Pop Up enables local entrepreneurs and small businesses to trade in a high street location without the commitment or cost of a longer-term lease.
Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of the council with responsibility for Economic Development said:
“Despite changing behaviour on the high street, the retail property market remains promising. Pop Up shop schemes can help to bring life back into towns and city centres, whilst giving independent businesses a great opportunity to have a shop front in a prime retail location.
It is fantastic to see the Portsmouth Pop Up initiative thriving and supporting local businesses like JAQUARD&Co to grow. This is a fantastic example of how we’re working together to regenerate the city centre. “
Paula added:
“I’ve been buying and selling products and services since I was 21 alongside my everyday job. When I bought my first house , decorating was my favourite thing to do. The homeware market was short on the things I wanted and instantly that became a business idea.
I’m very excited to be opening my first ever store and I’m ready for the challenge”
JAQUARD&Co move into Cascades ready for Christmas offering a range of simple, quality and affordable home furnishings and décor including, cushions, throws, candles, ornaments, dinnerware and kitchenware.
Businesses can apply to rent the pop-up shop in Cascades, in Portsmouth’s city centre for a minimum of 13 weeks giving them a chance to engage with customers and launch products and services.