{"id":35398,"date":"2016-12-13T00:01:18","date_gmt":"2016-12-13T00:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jomec.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=35398"},"modified":"2016-12-13T00:47:19","modified_gmt":"2016-12-13T00:47:19","slug":"in-depth-cardiffs-pop-up-progress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jomec.co.uk\/altcardiff\/culture\/in-depth-cardiffs-pop-up-progress","title":{"rendered":"In-depth: Cardiff’s pop-up progress"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pop-ups are changing the city\u2019s shopping scene, but where are these hidden gems?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Throughout this year, it seems as though pop-up shops have been multiplying all over Cardiff. These shops, caf\u00e9s and restaurants often provide unique foods and wares for a limited time, making them the go-to places for shoppers with an eye for the unique \u2013 and now there\u2019s more choice than ever for consumers in the know.<\/p>\n

However, usually hidden in alleys, behind buildings or in quiet areas of town, these offerings often go unnoticed by the typical high street shopper, meaning many pop-ups have to fight for survival if they want to become a permanent business.<\/p>\n

\"Dusty<\/a>

Dusty Knuckle started life as a pop-up and shot to success<\/p><\/div>\n

Success stories<\/b><\/h4>\n

Cardiff is home to a higher number of success stories than the average city with many pop-ups making the leap to permanent this year. At the city\u2019s heart is a thriving community of creatives and dreamers, and a wide variety of available spaces for those willing to risk it for the chance of having their own business \u2013 and it certainly seems to pay off.<\/p>\n

One such success is Dusty Knuckle Pizza. Started by Phil Lewis and partner 2 years ago, the business proved so popular they\u2019ve now moved to a more permanent home in Printhaus, a collection of creative studios located off Llandaff Road in Canton, which only this weekend held a successful pop-up Christmas Market titled Snapped-Up.<\/p>\n

While Dusty Knuckle do still operate as a pop-up, Phil, 38 from Cardiff, said the decision to set up a shop at Printhaus was mainly financial, but the small business owner quickly learned that the move wasn\u2019t as simple as it seemed.<\/p>\n

\"Pop-ups<\/a>

Pop-ups are often place for creatives to sell handcrafted and unique work<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWhen we were a pop-up it was all about our food, but when we opened up the permanent place it became more about the experience,\u201d said the 38-year-old. \u201cThat was quite a steep learning curve for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Dusty Knuckle has made it work using some clever social media tactics and a loyal client base, and they now regularly sell out of pizzas.<\/p>\n

Hidden gems<\/b><\/h4>\n

Some part of this success may be down to the business\u2019 location in Canton, which seems like the perfect hub for pop-up entrepreneurs. Just around the corner from Printhaus is the popular Bone Yard, started by Jodie Davies, 36, from Kent, and her partner just over a year ago.<\/p>\n

Home to many hidden gems in the city, The Bone Yard is tucked away behind a typical shop front and comprises of several shipping crates filled with a variety of small businesses and pop-ups.<\/p>\n

On the benefits of pop-up culture, Jodie says:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt allows people to try out their creative ideas without the pressure of having to take on a space \u2013 that\u2019s what\u2019s exciting. They\u2019re different, they\u2019re fresh, and it gives people a real opportunity to experiment.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Snapped<\/a>

Snapped Up Market recently held their Christmas market with great success<\/p><\/div>\n

While it seems that many more temporary businesses are setting down permanent roots, the idea of a successful pop-up isn\u2019t exactly a new one.<\/p>\n

Many big name brands started out in trucks and pop-ups before making it big \u2013 Innocent smoothies, for example, started out selling at festivals from a custom-made van. The owners polled a festival audience<\/span><\/a> as to whether they should quit their jobs and pursue their business full time, and the answer was a resounding \u2018yes\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

A growing market<\/b><\/h4>\n

It is undoubtedly down to some of these successes that pop-up culture is becoming so huge worldwide, and especially in Cardiff. According to telecoms company EE\u2019s annual pop-up retail report<\/span><\/a>, temporary retailers made over \u00a32.3 billion in income in 2015. This growth of 12.2% on the previous year lies in stark contrast with the much smaller increase of 1.1% for total UK high street sales, proving that this new way to shop is definitely on the rise.<\/span><\/p>\n