A handful of local businesses have signed up for a 'pop-up' scheme at Stoke-on-Trent's biggest shopping centre.
The Potteries Centre launched the initiative back in August to support independent retailers and showcase smaller businesses.
Now the centre is preparing to welcome five more local businesses to the Potteries Pop Up shop in the spring.
It comes just days after clothes and homeware giant Next announced it was closing its flagship Potteries Centre store in June.
First up at the Potteries Pop Up is ladies clothing retailer Aloud Clothing which opens today (Feb 21) this will be followed by Great Outdoors, which used the space twice last year, offering a range of handmade garden furniture and homewares as well as handmade flavoured gin and vodka.
Also returning to the Potteries Pop Up is one-stop baby shop Spoiltland, which has signed up for another three weeks from March 21. It sells everything from baby grows and changing bags to play mats and cuddly toys.
They will be followed by vintage clothing retailer The Retro Shack and Ladies True Beauty from April 11 to 17 and first-time pop-up shop occupiers Longton Snooker and Pool Hall who will be open for two weeks from April 18 to May 1.
Kiera McLaughlin, who is involved with organising the pop up shop, said: "It is great to see so many local businesses take a chance on our pop up. Our spring calendar has been immensely popular and we cannot wait to see these businesses open the doors once again. We hope to welcome even more new faces throughout 2022."
Amy Whittaker, general manager at The Potteries Centre, said: "Last year saw a range of fantastic independent businesses benefit from the initiative, after what had proved to be a challenging period for all retailers but most especially small businesses.
"The feedback we've had about the pop-up from shoppers throughout last year was fantastic, with many of them commenting on the diverse range of products the independents had on offer.
Click here to sign up to the daily BusinessLive email
"We've seen retailers showcase bespoke ceramics and quirky gifts, as well as newborn essentials.
"Many of the small businesses we welcomed to the unit last year would not otherwise have had the opportunity to try out a physical store. And, that's what makes this initiative so special for us."
