The first-ever Black Pound Day was held in the UK on June 27 2020, and the campaign has been growing in popularity ever since.
Black Pound Day was created by So Solid Crew member Swiss, who had the idea of celebrating Black-owned businesses to give the community an emotional and financial boost.
The campaign is a monthly event, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, which encourages people to buy products or services from Black-owned businesses on the first Saturday of every month.
This Saturday (February 4) marks a huge achievement in the campaign – as a 'permanent' Black Pound Day pop-up store is opening its doors.
CEO and founder of Black Pound Day, Swiss, took to Twitter to share: "I come bearing good news. We have secured ourself a pop-up for February 2023."
In a separate video, he added: "In my right hand I have the keys to our brand new store, The Black Pound Day store, Stratford Westfield. In my left hand I have the signed lease to that store."
The launch of the store, which is located in Stratford Westfield in East London, took place today, February 4 at 12pm, which is also Black Pound Day.
According to Swiss, the store will be "permanent", which means it won't just be open on Black Pound Day. It will be open for the whole of February, until Tuesday February 28.
The music artist said: "The opening of our second store in Westfield Stratford City is our response to calls from our community to continue this work.
"We are excited to bring the Black Pound Day shopping experience to East London in partnership with the Westfield team who continually support the movement.
"Black Pound Day has always been rooted in what our community needs by increasing the visibility of Black-owned businesses."
This comes after the launch of the first ever Permanent Black Pound Day store in Westfield White City in June 2022.
The East London shop will feature products from more than 50 Black owned businesses, with everything from skincare, haircare, books, toys, homeware, cosmetics, accessories and more.
Alyson Hodkinson, General Manager of Westfield Stratford City said: "We’re proud to welcome Black Pound Day store to Westfield Stratford City and offer our customers the opportunity to support the grassroots movement and discover products from a diverse range of haircare, homeware, fashion and beauty brands.
"We firmly believe that diversity and inclusion is vital to our business and we have a responsibility to ensure our offer mirrors the incredible diversity of customers visiting our centre every day."
On Twitter, people showed their support and excitement for the permanent pop-up store.
One person said: "Awwwww yasss!!! Love this! Congratulations! Will definitely try and make it!"
Another added: "Exciting, can't wait to visit!".
A third said: "This is amazing news. Well done to the team who have worked tirelessly to make this happen."
"Love it. Can't wait to shop there."
The store is located on the ground floor of Westfield, Stratford, opposite to Hugo Boss.
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