A pop-up shop has been set up in Maghull to allow local entrepreneurs a chance to sell their wares.
Maghull Emporium has been set up under the local community enterprise initiative and allows small start-up businesses to rent a bay within the shop unit in Maghull Square Shopping Centre in order to see if their business idea will work.
Business people can test their business model at a low cost on the high street. Budding new shopkeepers have moved in to the previously vacant unit in time for the Christmas rush.
Local Labour councillor Lynn Gatherer said: “We pulled out all the stops to make sure that we opened the Emporium before Christmas. There have been lots to do to ensure we could-but many people have worked really hard.”
The shop will include jewellers, beauticians and bespoke jute bags. Gatherer said the team wanted to give young local business people the chance to sell their wares and services in the run-up to the festive season.
Town Council leader, councillor Patrick McKinley, added: “The Emporium will be offering products and services not presently available in the Square and from young entrepreneurs who are bringing fresh ideas and heaps of enthusiasm.
Stephen Jarve from Maghull Radio told JMU Jounalism: “From a business point of view – we hope the emporium will receive enough business to grow and eventually become a local hub for people who want to start new businesses.”
The Maghull Radio is part of the Maghull community enterprise initiative with Jarve adding: “We feel it’s best to get involved and make ourselves known at the emporium as it’s under the same scheme.”
Danielle Bromfield from Maghull is one of the first people to open her business in the Emporium, telling JMU Journalism: “I decided to set up my business as I was making personalised bags as a hobby for friends and family and people started seeing them and asking where they bought it from, so I decided to start selling them full time online and now in my own shop.”