UpMarket Penicuik, a new retail concept aimed at attracting fledgling retailers who want to try their first bricks and mortar space, is to open in Penicuik Shopping Centre on Saturday, April 30.
This is the third Microshops to be opened by Evolve Estates, which is part of the LCP Group, a national commercial property and investment company. The Pencuik site will comprise 10 pods. Seven retail pods and one café have already been taken by local traders.
Natalie Sebastian, head of special projects at Evolve Estates, said UpMarket Penicuik is an exciting business opportunity for independent traders, designers, artists and start ups.
“Our experience of opening Microshops in different locations has been really positive,” she said. “It has given people the confidence to try their hand at opening a shop or moving from solely online trading, without all the overheads you would have with a traditional shop unit.
“We have dozens of thriving, local and independent businesses operating in our Microshops and are looking forward to seeing traders in Penicuik enjoying similar success on their own doorsteps.”
Lisa McAlinden, LCP property manager, added: “Each Microshops concept we have launched has been a great success, enabling new retailers to move to a physical store for the first time and we are confident the community will be keen to support these local entrepreneurs at Up Market Penicuik, too.”
Microshops can be found in: Pavilion Shopping Centre, Thornaby-on-Tees; The Centre, Margate; The East Gate Centre, Ipswich; Govan Cross Shopping Centre, Govan Cross; and The Wellington Centre, Aldershot.
All of the Microshops occupy vacated larger stores in LCP Group’s retail centres and have been carefully fitted out to create a modern and fun environment where occupiers can brand their own space.