2022 cohort of the 'London Made Me' retail training programme
Get ready to hit the high street and sell your crafts among retail giants such as Liberty London and Selfridges.
Artists, designers and makers from Hammersmith & Fulham are invited to take part in London Made Me's free retail training programme.
Designed to help creative businesses grow and run their own pop-up shop, it's part of the free support provided to local creatives and businesses through H&F's Creative Enterprise Zone.
Last year's pop-up site in Regent Street helped generate £34,440 in sales across the 35-day trading period, with an average £2,000 sales made per participant.
Invaluable
"The London Made Me pop-up project is a fantastic opportunity," said local jewellery designer Bea Jareno. "The support provided is invaluable, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience that can shape their artistic journey for a lifetime."
The designer – who is based at the Acava studios White City – was among two H&F artists to be selected for the 2022 cohort.
"Art is essential to our communities, and it is thanks to initiatives like the Creative Enterprises Zones that we are able to thrive in this amazing city," she added.
Anyone living or working in H&F's Creative Enterprise Zone can now apply to the 2023 programme until Tuesday 5 September, with 14 spots are up for grabs.
Not an ordinary business course
The four-week training programme offers new business owners real-life insights and practical experience setting up a retail space, selling products and creating a memorable customer experience.
"It's not an ordinary business course," said Phoebe Ho, fellow White City based ceramic and homeware designer at the shop's opening last November. "This project not only gave us a shop in this amazing location, it also gave us invaluable training on how we should prepare ourselves to go out there and sell.
"The details and knowledge they've given us are proven advice that come from their own experience. I am very grateful for the tips and hacks."
Learn, build, trade
Perks of the Mayor of London run programme include the chance to learn firsthand from industry leaders, before moving on to designing a retail space.
The building process will range from creating shop fittings and painting, through to setting up stock – everything it takes to set up a commercial pop-up shop.
Under the guidance from retail experts, the London Made Me trainees will go on to co-manage their pop-up shop for four weeks over the festive period – one of the busiest times of the retail calendar.
Apply now
The next training programme is set to start on 30 October 2023 and run until 5 January 2024.
The deadline for applications is 9am on Tuesday 5 September, with shortlisting and selection taking place between 30 August and 18 September.
Interested H&F artists can email cez@london.gov.uk to request an application form.
Learn more on the London Made Me Pop-Up Shop website.
Want to read more news stories like this? Subscribe to our weekly e-news bulletin.
