Love Local Hub is launching in a 1,377 sq ft unit at 3 Sunset Walk, which will act as a showroom and base for the company to provide support to develop new start-ups in the area, and will be opening once restrictions have lifted. Helping business test their products without the usual risk associated with renting, new brands can obtain space within the store and earn revenue, whilst being supported by Love Local Hub in all aspects of the business, from marketing to accounting.
Family owned and created by local entrepreneur and business owner, Samantha Poole, Love Local Hub has a huge magazine and print community of over 30,000. Unlike other ‘pop-up’ retailers, the company combines a handheld service with a ‘bricks and mortar’ shopping experience for customers to enjoy.
Kevin Duffy, centre:mk Centre Director, said: “Over the last 40 years, centre:mk has supported local business and seen the community grow with new ideas and concepts. Love Local Hub is part of a new wave of entrepreneurial businesses and their incubator hub is a brilliant model that we are proud to support.”
Samantha Poole, Founder of Love Local Hub, added: “I have dreamed of opening a Love Local Hub physical space for the last two years and am thrilled to announce we will be launching in centre:mk, one of the UK’s top 10 shopping centres. With the Love Local Hub three-step process from shelf, to space, to shop, we will not only be helping local geniuses, artists, communities and businesses, but also supporting the economy by filling empty units, creating employment, education and independence.”
The announcement follows the news that world-renowned British toy emporium, Hamleys, selected centre:mk for its latest pop-up retail concept, bringing its inimitable brand to the region for the first time.