EDF Small Business and Enterprise Nation Pop-Up: London Space Launches

We're doing it again.

As part of the EDF Small Business and Enterprise Nation partnership, and our wider Powering Local Businesses campaign, we're committed to helping small businesses reduce costs, unlock new opportunities and build stronger businesses for the future.

Following the success of our first pop-up shop in Brighton, we're excited to announce applications are now open for a free pop-up retail space in Notting Hill, London.

A proven opportunity for growing businesses

Earlier this year, five small businesses took over a prime retail space in Brighton's bustling Duke's Lane. The shop quickly became a destination for shoppers, attracting local influencers, strong footfall and even a special appearance from Brighton legend Fatboy Slim.

More importantly, it gave ambitious small business owners the opportunity to test physical retail without the financial risk that usually comes with opening a shop.

Whether you're an established retailer looking to trial a second location, preparing for the busy Christmas shopping season or an online seller ready to experience face-to-face customer interactions for the first time, a pop-up shop can provide invaluable insights and growth opportunities.

Why are we offering free pop-up spaces?

Opening a retail space is a significant investment.

Even for a short-term lease, businesses often face costs including rent, business rates, shop fittings, insurance, staffing and marketing. For many small businesses, these upfront costs can make experimenting with physical retail feel out of reach.

That's why we're offering this opportunity as part of our Powering Local Businesses campaign.

The pop-up programme is designed to help businesses:

Trial a physical retail presence without the usual costs
Reach new customers and build local awareness
Test demand in a new location
Learn how their products perform in-store
Gain valuable customer feedback face-to-face
Create content and marketing opportunities around their brand
Collaboration and learning from other founders

For online-first businesses, it's a chance to see what happens when customers can browse, touch and experience products in person. For businesses already operating from a retail space, it's an opportunity to test a new location and reach a new audience during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.

Hear from our Brighton participants

Erin and Deanne took part in the first 2 weeks of the Brighton pop-up and shared how the experience helped them grow their businesses.

The five businesses involved experienced:

Increase in sales
Speaking directly with customers and better understanding buying behaviours
Test pricing, merchandising and product messaging
Content for social media and website

You can also explore more about the Brighton pop-up and how the businesses benefited from taking part here.

Tell me more about the London pop-up?

The London pop-up will run for two weeks from 30 November to 13 December in the heart of Notting Hill, one of London's most popular shopping destinations.

With the pop-up taking place during the peak Christmas shopping season, participating businesses will benefit from increased footfall and a highly engaged audience looking for unique gifts and independent brands.

Key dates

Applications open: 1 September
Applications close: 11 October
Pop-up opens: 30 November
Pop-up closes: 13 December

The space is completely free for successful applicants.

Three businesses will share the store, giving each brand the opportunity to showcase their products while collaborating on ways to attract customers into the space. We encourage participating businesses to get creative with marketing activity, launch events, influencer partnerships and promotional campaigns throughout the two weeks.

EDF EN Pop up London IFG v2.pdf

How do I apply?

Applying is simple:

Visit the application page: https://www.enterprisenation.com/edf-pop-up
Review the eligibility criteria
Complete the short application form (it takes around five minutes)
Optionally submit a video application to tell us more about your business

The application page contains everything you need to know before applying.

What else can I get involved in as a small business owner?

The Powering Local Businesses hub offers a range of support, resources and opportunities for small businesses, including:

A Lunch and Learn webinar series
A new series of the Retail Sessions podcast
25 business resilience grants worth £1,000 each (coming soon)
Research and insights to help support business growth
An exclusive EDF Small Business tariff offer, including up to a £150 Amazon voucher (terms and conditions apply)

Visit the Powering Local Businesses hub to discover all the ways we're supporting local businesses.

FAQs: EDF Small Business and Enterprise Nation Pop-Up Shop in Notting Hill

What is a pop-up shop?

A pop-up shop is a temporary retail space that allows businesses to sell products, meet customers and test a physical retail presence without committing to a long-term lease.

Who should apply for the Notting Hill pop-up shop?

The opportunity is ideal for:

Online businesses wanting to test physical retail
Independent brands launching new products
Existing retailers wanting to trial a second location
Small businesses looking to reach London customers
Businesses wanting to maximise Christmas sales opportunities

Is the pop-up shop really free?

Yes. The retail space is provided free of charge to successful applicants as part of the EDF Small Business and Enterprise Nation Powering Local Businesses campaign.

Where is the pop-up shop located?

The pop-up shop is located at 204 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill, London, a popular shopping destination known for attracting both local residents and visitors.

When will the London pop-up shop take place?

The pop-up will run from 30 November to 13 December, during the busy Christmas shopping season.

Can online businesses apply?

Absolutely. In fact, the pop-up is a great opportunity for online sellers to test physical retail, meet customers face-to-face and learn how shoppers interact with their products in person.

Why should I test a physical retail space?

Testing a physical retail space can help you:

Validate demand in a new market
Increase brand awareness
Gather customer feedback
Improve merchandising and pricing strategies
Create content for social media and marketing
Explore whether a permanent retail space is right for your business

What are the benefits of a Christmas pop-up shop?

A Christmas pop-up shop gives businesses access to increased shopper footfall, gift-focused purchasing behaviour and a valuable opportunity to boost sales during one of the busiest retail periods of the year.

How long does the application process take?

The application form takes approximately five minutes to complete, with an optional video submission available if you'd like to tell us more about your business.

How can I apply for the EDF Small Business pop-up shop?

Visit https://www.enterprisenation.com/edf-pop-up to review the eligibility criteria and submit your application.

Applications open for a free pop-up shop in Notting Hill, London