{"id":37483,"date":"2023-09-01T18:05:19","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T17:05:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsblogsnew.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=37483"},"modified":"2024-09-30T18:18:35","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T17:18:35","slug":"ihbcs-finance-policy-signpost-small-businesses-offered-rent-free-shops-by-westminster-cc-meanwhile-on-oxford-street","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=37483","title":{"rendered":"IHBC\u2019s Finance\/Policy Signpost: Small businesses offered rent-free shops by Westminster CC – \u2018Meanwhile On: Oxford Street\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"people\"Small businesses are being offered the chance to take over a shop on Oxford Street, rent-free, as part of a new project launched by Westminster City Council (CC), in partnership with New West End Company: \u2018<\/strong>Meanwhile On: Oxford Street\u2019 campaign.<\/h3>\n
image for illustration: by Christine Matthews \/\u00a0Oxford Circus, London W1<\/a><\/em>\u00a0Commons Wikimedia<\/em><\/h6>\n

<\/p>\n

\u2026 programme invites applications from innovative, cutting-edge and up-and-coming brands\u2026<\/p>\n

City of Westminster Council writes:<\/p>\n

Called \u201cMeanwhile On: Oxford Street\u201d, the programme invites applications from innovative, cutting-edge and up-and-coming brands who will offer something exciting and new to one of the world’s most iconic shopping streets.<\/p>\n

The businesses selected can use this high-profile space to bring their brand\u2019s story to life, for example through new technologies such as virtual or augmented reality, interactive exhibitions and in some cases, by bringing the production process to the customer by installing machines in store, opening visitor\u2019s eyes to how clothes and other materials are made.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile On: Oxford Street will activate empty spaces previously taken up by low quality occupiers such as American candy stores. \u00a0The programme forms part of Westminster City Council\u2019s wider Fairer Economy plan to invest in high streets throughout the borough.<\/p>\n

The campaign is aimed at businesses looking to launch their first store or physical space. Selected brands will be given a prime store location for an initial six-month period. These opportunities will be 100% rent-free for brands, with a minimum reduction of business rates of 70%.\u00a0Stores will either be available for single occupancy or as a themed concept store shared between multiple brands.<\/p>\n

Additionally, brands will benefit from\u00a0store design, mentoring, management and marketing support from independent retail consultants, Someday Studios, and Westminster City Council. This represents an exciting package of support for small businesses seeking the opportunity to trade in London\u2019s West End for the first time.<\/p>\n

Although the Meanwhile On: Oxford Street, is a brand-new programme, it builds on pilot schemes which have shown that the model works successfully.\u00a0 A good example is Kitty McEntee, founder of Lab Tonica who was offered a short-term pop up by Westminster City Council in 2021, to sell hand blended botanicals, teas, balms, and aromatherapy gifts on Regent Street. This successful activation and support from the Council allowed Kitty to make important connections with other retailers on Oxford Street and Lab Tonica now has a permanent concession in Selfridges.<\/p>\n

Kitty McEntee said: \u201cIn 2021 my brand Lab Tonica was selected to be part of a sustainable pop-up program initiated by Westminster City Council, the NWEC and The Crown Estate. As a new start up, this was an incredible experience and helped to fast-track the launch of my brand, providing a multitude of marketing and collaboration opportunities, and delivering much needed revenue for an independent start-up. The initiative breathed new life into the post-covid high street and I’m proud to have been a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Petit Pli makes sustainable children\u2019s clothes that grow with young people \u2013 the brand offers a more affordable option for parents as their clothes expand seven sizes, meaning parents need to buy fewer clothes over their child\u2019s lifetime. Petit Plit was also supported by Westminster City Council with a short-term pop up which showcased some of the machinery\u00a0used in their design process.\u00a0 This vital support from the Council meant the brand has gone onto open their own permanent unit in London and is thriving.<\/p>\n

Innovative and up-and-coming small businesses that can offer something unique to customers in terms of products, events, experience, or concept, are encouraged to apply….. Each brand will need to meet the criteria set out in the application form.\u00a0 New opportunities for brands will also continue to roll out over the coming months and years, as units become available. Meanwhile On: Oxford Street is expected to support around 35 brands over three years, with the first store opening autumn 2023.<\/p>\n

Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development said:<\/p>\n

“The West End has recovered quickly from the pandemic but there are still too many vacant units and poor-quality occupants. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve set up Meanwhile On: Oxford Street to help fill the gaps with upcoming brands showcasing their innovative new ideas. I am excited to welcome new brands to one of the most famous streets in Europe, and support them with free rent, reduced business rates and help with promoting their businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dee Corsi, CEO of New West End Company,\u00a0said:<\/p>\n

“The West End is internationally recognised as one of the world\u2019s most iconic retail and leisure destinations. As a result, it has always been at the forefront for brands looking to engage with consumers in new and innovative ways \u2013 businesses that come here, do so to put their best foot forward. The addition of pioneering brands, through the Meanwhile On programme, is just one of many indicators of the district\u2019s wider growth, and we look forward to welcoming the successful applicants to the area.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more….<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Small businesses are being offered the chance to take over a shop on Oxford Street, rent-free, as part of a new project launched by Westminster City Council (CC), in partnership with New West End Company: \u2018Meanwhile On: Oxford Street\u2019 campaign. … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ihbc-newsblog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=37483"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37483\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41117,"href":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37483\/revisions\/41117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=37483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=37483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=37483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}