Thrive Street will see small businesses from across the West Midlands descend on Birmingham’s Bull Ring Center on Friday 8 November, with shoppers able to browse and purchase products from independent retailers over the course of the three-day event.
Organizers say Thrive Street, a pop-up high street that allows small business owners to access premium commercial space for free, is a “celebration of entrepreneurship in the UK and the small businesses that form the backbone of the UK economy.”“.
The event comes as Mastercard research shows that almost three quarters of Birmingham residents say they want to shop more at local small businesses before Christmas, with 50% saying they want to do so to support their local community.
Thrive Street is part of Mastercard’s Strive UK programme, an initiative that supports micro and small business owners with free access to targeted training and advice, particularly digital skills.
At last year’s event, Mary Portas cut the ribbon at the Arndale Centre, alongside Kelly Devine, Chair of UK&I for Mastercard, welcoming the local community to the event which showcased products from some of the area’s best micro businesses .