Launchpad Pop-Up Store 2025: Impact Summary
The 2025 Launchpad Pop-Up Store brought new energy to 108 Pinstone Street, transforming a vacant city-centre unit into a vibrant, festive showcase for Sheffield’s independent makers at a key trading moment for the city.
Running from 27 November to 20 December 2025 and opening every Thursday–Saturday, the shop created a consistent and visible retail presence leading up to the Christmas period.
Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and supported by Sheffield BID and Sheffield City Council, the project delivered significant economic and community impact.
Engagement and Participation
Over four weeks, the store welcomed more than 10,000 visitors, providing 31 local businesses with the platform to:
- showcase their products
- test physical retail
- connect directly with customers
For many, this was their first experience selling from a bricks‑and‑mortar space, offering valuable insight into customer behaviour, pricing and presentation.
“It was a rare opportunity to trade in a prime city‑centre location with 100% of profits retained. It was the best pop‑up experience I’ve had in Sheffield.”
— Trader feedback
Diversity and Representation
Participants reflected the creativity and diversity of Sheffield’s independent economy, spanning fashion, jewellery, textiles, home décor and visual art.
Of the 31 businesses supported, 17 represented or championed diversity (55%), adding cultural and creative richness to the high street and reinforcing the value of inclusive economic growth.
Local Delivery and Economic Impact
To maximise local benefit, all delivery partners were Sheffield-based, covering:
- wall artwork and signage
- cleaning and preparation
- on-site operational support
This ensured that investment remained within the local economy while enabling a professional, high‑quality retail environment.
Business Support and Development
Throughout the programme, traders received hands‑on support from the Business Sheffield team, including guidance on:
- store layout and merchandising
- pricing
- customer engagement
- planning next steps beyond the pop‑up and more
“The Business Sheffield team were supportive and approachable throughout. Their guidance helped me refine my presentation, connect with customers and gain insights for future showcases.”
— Trader feedback
Civic and Partner Engagement
The pop‑up store welcomed visits from Cllr Mahroof Mohamed, members of the Sheffield Diverse Enterprise Board, and partners including the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, highlighting strong civic and business support for the initiative.
Commercial Outcomes
Customer spending remained strong throughout the trading period, with traders reporting average sales of around £1,500 per business over four weeks.
In addition, 82% of participating businesses rated their overall experience as excellent, demonstrating both commercial impact and the value of the support provided.
Conclusion
The Launchpad Pop-Up Store demonstrates the significant impact that targeted support, high‑quality retail space and strong partnership working can have on early‑stage businesses. The programme delivered meaningful economic, social and developmental outcomes for participating traders and contributed positively to the vibrancy of Sheffield’s city centre.
