The Pop-Up Club is to keep its place on Manchester’s high street as it extends its lease until mid April after a successful Christmas and New Year period.
The Pop-Up Club, which brings small businesses and independent traders together in a curated retail space, opened in November last year in The Arndale and has seen heavy footfall and high sales figures across Christmas and into 2025. With the retail industry predicted to be hit hard this year, with a potential 17,000* retail units expected to close their doors, The Pop-Up Club is determined to break the narrative that ‘the high street is dead’.
Sitting next to prominent retailers such as the Apple Store and high end retailers such as River Island, Next and Monki, The Pop-Up Club offers shoppers the opportunity to buy from small and independent traders including local talent, North West businesses and across the UK.
Products available in the Manchester store include pieces by independent retailers such as beautifully handpainted watercolour illustrations from By Tilly, celestial and nature inspired jewellery by Sian Mellor Design, jewellery from Asor London and finely crafted illustration by Natdraws. Honing in on local roots and talent, it also shares the work of Stockport artisan Jess David’s Glass, with her handmade creations including flowers, hearts and paperweights as well as vases, bowls and plates.
In previous years The Pop-Up Club has provided a platform for small retailers and traders, helping them earn more than £1.5m across previous years by offering them a bricks and mortar opportunity to sell and meet customers on the high street – something that Manchester shoppers have actively embraced.
The store is now being extended from a Christmas pop up and will remain open until Easter (April 20), with shoppers able to visit the space from 10am until 7pm Monday to Saturday and 11am until 5pm on Sundays.
Discussing the news of Manchester’s extension, founder Tillie Peel said: “We’ve visited Manchester numerous times before and there’s a reason it always feels like home, with the Northern charm, friendly shoppers and thriving high street making it a scene that we just can’t ignore.
“I’m so pleased that The Pop-Up Club has been able to continue its space in The Manchester Arndale, which has put us right in the heart of city centre shopping and we’ve had such a brilliant reception from shoppers since we opened our doors in November. From strong sales and high foot traffic, we’ve also been pleased to work with so many local businesses and traders for this space and to give them a taste of the benefits of having a bricks and mortar space on the high street. Our network of independent businesses have found being in our stores offers real value, as well as allowing them to speak to customers.”
She added: “This year is already looking to be a tough one for the retail industry, but The Pop-Up Club stands by its mantra that the high street is not dead, and can still be an essential part of a local economy and should be accessible for small businesses and independents. With over 5 million small businesses in the UK*, there are so many that deserve attention and shopping small can bring huge benefits to the economy as well as supporting local income.”
It’s not just the founder who has seen the benefits of being part of the Manchester store, as the independent traders have also seen it as a beneficial step forward for their businesses. Sian Mellor, founder of jewellery brand Sian Mellor Designs, explained: “I chose to team up with The Pop-Up Club because it puts small businesses at the heart of major cities; something many small businesses wouldn’t be able to do on their own.
“Through collaboration great things can be achieved and help raise awareness of the importance of shopping local and helping the local economy and The Pop-Up Club really do this with their fantastic stores.”
Quirky home print business Moonshine Prints added: “We’re so happy to be a part of The Pop Up Club. As an online, northern based business, the prospect of having our Wall Prints & Greeting Cards available to shop in a beautifully curated store, in such a busy, reputable Manchester location excited us massively! It’s the perfect ‘online to high-street’ transition we’ve been looking for!”
