EDF Small Business and Enterprise Nation help small businesses take first step onto the high street
- Applications now open for businesses to secure a free two-week retail space in Brighton’s Duke’s Lane
- Initiative forms part of the next phase of EDF Small Business and Enterprise Nation’s Powering Local Businesses partnership
- Wider programme includes sustainability grants, free EV chargers, expert webinars and a new podcast series
EDF Small Business and Enterprise Nation have launched the next phase of their Powering Local Businesses partnership with a new pop-up shop initiative designed to help small businesses trial physical retail space and reach new customers.
Applications are now open for small businesses to secure a free two-week residency at a dedicated pop-up shop in Duke’s Lane, Brighton, running from 29 June to 26 July 2026.
The initiative has been created to give businesses the opportunity to test a high street presence without the significant upfront costs or long-term commitments typically associated with retail space. It is aimed at businesses looking to sell products in person for the first time, trial a new location or grow brand awareness with new audiences.
The Brighton pop-up is one of several new initiatives launching as part of the expanded EDF Small Business and Enterprise Nation partnership, which focuses on helping local businesses grow sustainably, build resilience and access practical support.
The partnership builds on a successful first year campaign that supported almost one million small businesses across the UK through advice, resources and tailored business support.
Claire Nutt, Director of Small Business at EDF, said: “Small businesses are the backbone of local communities, and we want to help give them practical opportunities to grow. Through this partnership with Enterprise Nation, the Brighton pop-up shop will allow businesses to test physical retail, reach new customers and build confidence without the usual barriers and costs.”
Aaron Asadi, CEO of Enterprise Nation, said: “Many small businesses want to explore retail space but are put off by the risk and commitment involved. This initiative gives founders the opportunity to test new markets, connect directly with customers and gain valuable experience in a supportive environment.”
Alongside the pop-up shop initiative, the Powering Local Businesses partnership will also deliver:
- Five £5,000 grants to support investment in energy-efficient equipment and sustainable infrastructure
- Five free EV chargers from EDF’s EV charging business, Pod
- A new series of the Retail Sessions Podcast
- Lunch and learn webinars covering key business challenges
- Twenty-five additional £1,000 grants focused on sustainability and business resilience
- A second pop-up shop planned for later in the year
Applications for the Brighton pop-up shop are now open until mid-June.
For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.enterprisenation.com/poweringlocalbusinesses/
About EDF
EDF is driving the transition towards An Electric Britain – a secure, affordable, low-carbon future for everyone. As Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity, we are investing more than £100 million weekly in Britain’s electricity infrastructure. We supply millions of customers with electricity and help homes and businesses switch to electricity for heating, transport and industrial processes.
We operate five nuclear power stations and more than 35 onshore wind farms and three offshore wind farms. Since 2009, EDF has invested almost £9 billion in the nuclear fleet to improve reliability and extend station lifetimes. The five generating stations currently supply about 12% of the UK’s electricity demand.
EDF is building the UK's nuclear renaissance with the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C. We are a minority investor (12.5%) in and major supplier to a replica plant at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will provide low carbon electricity to meet 14% of UK demand and power around 12 million homes. EDF Group companies Framatome and Arabelle Solutions have a presence in the UK and manufacture critical equipment such as reactor pressure vessels and turbines.
EDF is enabling its 5 million customers, both in business and at home, to choose electric solutions that save cash and carbon, whether it is buying an electric car, generating and storing electricity, selling energy back to the grid or installing solar panels or a heat pump. In 2025, EDF’s Customers business was ranked as one of the Sunday Times’s Best Place to Work.
It is also one of the UK’s leading developers of renewable energy through EDF power solutions UK and Ireland. We have more than 2GW of renewable generation in operation and over 10GW in construction, planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage.
We are one of the largest suppliers to British business and a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping businesses become more energy independent. In addition, the company’s energy services business, Dalkia, is one of the UK and Ireland’s largest technical service providers.
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