Shortage of short-term lets hitting pop-ups

HIGH streets in Scotland are missing out on the craze for pop-up shops because landlords are not willing to provide short- term lets, says a retail guru.

Ross Bailey, founder of Appear Here, a website which gives advice to pop-up shops, says there is a real shortage of supply in the Scottish market.

However, he says top retailers are keen to set up shop, particularly in the capital: “We have brands and retailers queuing up for short-term retail space in the city centre. In fact, after London and Bath, Edinburgh is the most requested city by people registering on the website.”

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Among the enquiries from pop-up retailers has been one from Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing, who is hoping to create a pop-up branch of his Candy Kittens store after his recent appearance at Harvey Nichols.

A top online jewellery boutique and an urban menswear brand which already has stores in Manchester and London have also sought to find premises in Edinburgh without success.

Bailey said: “Edinburgh has a strong identity compared to other UK towns and cities, and brands love that. Now we just need retail space to meet the 
demand.”

Architect Malcolm Fraser, who is overseeing the Scottish Government’s inquiry into city centres, said last year that encouraging pop-up shops was something the committee was considering as a way to keep life in town centres.