This article is written by Sophie Venner of Cre8ive Wisdom, a strategic marketing & creative agency, based in Poole, Dorset
There is a growing debate on the ‘meanwhile use’ of commercial property, also known as pop-up, short-term and slow architecture.
A commercial property in Bristol city centre has adopted the term pop-up and adapted the concept to become the world’s first permanent pop-up venue. Forty Alfred Place, Bristol is a place where anything can happen. A fully-equipped restaurant and event space it is ready and waiting to be handed over to anybody.
Most recently 40 Alfred Place was a temporary home for Grillstock, a Bristol-based BBQ Festival and market retailer at St Nicholas Market serving American BBQ-inspired pulled pork rolls, baby-back BBQ ribs, slow cooked beef brisket and BBQ beans.
Over a three-day period Grillstock served more than 100 happy customers with the weekend event a complete sell out. Not only was having a temporary restaurant an opportunity for Grillstock to test their market and operational skills for a full-time restaurant, but the local community surrounding the pop-up venue and the property owner received significant benefits.
The property owner has the added benefit of a generation of income. Security and maintenance of the property is increased and lower costs are incurred for the running of the site.
Community groups receive greater benefits since new enterprises have access to highly flexible and affordable space to try new ideas and develop their business concept. Meanwhile, neighbourhoods and local authorities benefit from more active and lively streets, which increases footfall for other businesses aiding regeneration.
This collaboration of a new enterprise and the commercial property landlord is undoubtedly a proven success in the pop-up industry.
However, those wanting to apply this new approach to disused commercial property must have a creative approach to property management. For those who do, this is an excellent opportunity, since the space and time available for meanwhile use is expanding, as are the opportunities.