Pop-up Shops are a rapidly growing method for brands to connect with customers across the UK. Providing brands a flexible and cost-effective method to display new products, expand their reach and directly engage with customers in prime areas.
Network Rail’s pop-up shops provide the perfect solution for a short-term retail experience that grants an adaptable and strategic location at high-footfall railway stations. Our spaces are tailored to suit a range of formats and ambitions. Discover available spaces for your pop-up. We’re the partner of choice for businesses ready to thrive in the travel market.
What is a pop up shop?
A pop-up shop is a temporary store space, often set up for days, weeks or a few months in a vacant unit. Unlike traditional retail units with long-term leases, a pop-up store is for a limited period of time to achieve a brand’s particular goal.
Why Should Businesses Consider Pop-Up Shops?
Increase Brand Visibility
Pop-up shops puts your brand right in front of your target audience, by choosing high-footfall areas or cultural hotspots. Your business can attract new and returning customers to promote awareness.
Test New Markets & Reach New Audiences
Pop-up retail opportunities can benefit businesses wanting to explore new locations, demographic testing and product lines to identify key opportunities with minimal risk.
Memorable Customer Experiences
Short term retail stores offer an immersive and interactive experience for potential customers. Giving businesses an opportunity to build connections and boost brand loyalty.
Product Launch Events
Launching a new product or service? A pop-up shop can provide an ideal way to showcase and build exposure to what’s new. Increasing potential sales and helping drive your brands growth.
Why Choose Network Rail For Your Next Pop-Up?
At Network Rail, we manage 19 of the busiest and most iconic travel hubs in Great Britain. With over 700 million people passing through our stations each year, we offer unrivalled access to a diverse and dynamic customer base. What’s more, you’ll receive:
Hear from One of Our Successful Pop-Up Shops
The people at NR have all been first rate. Everyone has been incredibly helpful from start to finish. That's right from the first meeting with Yvette all the way through to the individual members of the station teams.
Good London
Is Your Business Pop-Up Ready?
Before applying for a pop-up shop space, make sure your business meets these key requirements:
- Two trading units of the same type of business you propose to trade in our stations
- Shops / units trading for a minimum of six months
- A range of products or services to meet the needs of our passengers
For full details on eligibility and application requirements, visit our Retail Leasing Guide
FAQ
Are pop-up shops profitable?
Yes, pop-up shops can be highly profitable if done strategically. Whether you’re launching, testing, or scaling, we’re the partner of choice for businesses ready to thrive in the travel market.
What is the average cost of a pop-up shop?
Costs vary depending on location, duration, and setup requirements. With an average base rent across all our stations of £180 per sq ft. This does not include all of our service charges, turnover percentage and utilities cost.
Pop-up shop or traditional retail?
Pop-up shops are more beneficial for testing new markets, launching products and gauging customer responses with lower risks compared to traditional retail. With lower initial costs and flexibility not offered by traditional retail opportunities that allows for a more consistent brand presence and continue long-term customer interactions.
Do I need a permit for a pop-up shop?
The required permits for a pop-up shop vary based on your location, what products you are selling and the length of time you are running for. Examples of permits you might need include:
- General business license
- Street Traders license
- Food business registration
- Alcohol License