Talk of the town – Pop Brixton show rolls on and on…

The company that has transformed a disused car park into a pop-up destination to support new businesses has had it’s licence to operate extended until 2020

Since its launch in May 2015, Pop Brixton is described as transforming the car park in Brixton Station Road, into a venue that has become a platform for positive change within the borough.

Lambeth council published an independently-produced impact study that shows that the project adds £9million of value to Brixton’s economy each year, through support of local businesses and a commitment to social enterprise in the community.

Make Shift’s community investment scheme is a social contract that all its members enter into, pledging a minimum of one hour per week to participate in projects that positively impact local residents.

The study credits the initiative for providing more than 5,800 hours of local training, business support, fundraising and community initiatives over the past two years. Through this scheme, the benefits of the project are extended beyond Pop Brixton’s members and shared with the community, creating new opportunities for people.

Make Shift’s marketing manager Charlie Gent, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the decision to extend our lease until 2020. Pop Brixton was an experimental project, the first of its kind.

“So it’s fantastic to see the positive impact we’ve had. It hasn’t all been plain sailing setting up a project like this in Brixton, an area facing rapid change, where many residents and businesses are under real pressure.

“We’ve learnt a lot of lessons along the way and have worked constantly to improve and help more people from the area.

“It’s incredibly satisfying to see the hard work pay off with a decision like this.

“We are so proud of all the local entrepreneurs who have called Pop home over the past two years, and of their commitment to working with other local people and community groups.

“We are excited for what the next two years holds and look forward to seeing our community grow even stronger.”

Sarah Bennet, owner, Make Do & Mend said: “I chose to set up at Pop Brixton because it was an incredible opportunity for me to start my business where I live, here in Brixton and to be a part of a bigger entrepreneurial space.

“It has enabled me to establish a really strong customer base within the community, but also build connections with other makers, artists and creatives.

“The concessions we stock are all local independent makers and designers.

“Through the vintage and makers markets hosted at Pop we have given many local artists and makers and platform to sell in a high footfall environment.”