Look What’s Popped Up In The Centre Of Guildford In Time For Christmas Shopping

Published on: 3 Dec, 2016
Updated on: 2 Dec, 2016

Guildford first ‘pop up village’ of independent shops was officially opened on Thursday evening (December 1).

Cutting the ribbon to officially open the Guildford Pop Up Village. From left: Stephanie Maynard of the council’s business team; Cllr David Bilbe; the mayor, Gordon Jackson; and Diana Parker of the council’s business team.

Housed in converted steel shipping containers, the town centre site, located on land between Commercial Road and Woodbridge Road, is being hailed by Guildford Borough Council as “an exciting new experience for shopping, food and drink, arts and performance”.

Entertainment at the opening was provided by the Wey Community Gospel Choir.

Cllr David Bilbe, the lead councillor for economic development, tourism and climate change, said: “It offers affordable, shorter-term solutions for start-up businesses and retailers, with flexible leases.

“The use of this redundant site also adds to the mix of goods, food and performance space that our diverse and exciting town offers. Please come along and enjoy the most recent attraction in town.”

Redgars sells roasted nuts and coffee.

A good deal of hard work by the council’s business team, led by its local economy manager Chris Burchell, has been done to create the pop up village. It was scheduled to open earlier in the week, but bad weather hampered the preparation of the site.

However, all was ready for the official opening on Thursday evening.

Nicola Chinn of Pret A Vintage is selling quality vintage clothing from the 1920s to the 1980s.

There are a total of 30 containers available to businesses, organisations and traders and 16 have so far been leased, with two further traders on site.

It is expected to be a feature of the town for the next two years.

For a list of the current traders and more details, click here to go to the council’s website.