Member Article

centre:mk loves local

centre:mk has announced that Love Local Hub, has opened its flagship pop-up space in centre:mk, the first in a national project created to help retail entrepreneurs and landlords across the UK.

Love Local Hub has launched in a 1,377 sq ft unit at 3 Sunset Walk, with the store serving as a stepping stone for new local retailers in the area at a key time of year. Helping businesses test their products without the usual risk associated with renting, new brands can obtain space within the store and earn revenue, whilst being supported by Love Local Hub in all aspects of the business, from marketing to accounting. Local businesses currently showcased in the store include Planet Mermaid, Cake The Biscuit, Mamafillie, Finewood Studios, Piccalilli Lane, The English Rose and Truly Divine Event Décor.

Family owned and created by local entrepreneur and business owner, Samantha Poole, Love Local Hub has a magazine and print community of over 30,000. Unlike other ‘pop-up’ retailers, the company combines a handheld service with a ‘bricks and mortar’ shopping experience for customers to enjoy.

Kevin Duffy, centre:mk Centre Director, said: “Over the last 40 years, centre:mk has supported local business and seen the community grow with new ideas and concepts. Love Local Hub is part of a new wave of entrepreneurial businesses and their incubator hub is a brilliant model that we are proud to support.”

Samantha Poole, Founder of Love Local Hub, added: “I have dreamed of opening a Love Local Hub physical space for the last two years and am thrilled to have launched in centre:mk, one of the UK’s top 10 shopping centres. With the Love Local Hub three-step process from shelf, to space, to shop, we are not only helping local geniuses, artists, communities and businesses, but supporting the economy by filling empty units, creating employment, education and independence.”

The announcement follows the news that world-renowned British toy emporium, Hamleys, selected centre:mk for its latest pop-up retail concept, bringing its inimitable brand to the region for the first time.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Elizabeth Ellis .