Research reveals consumers want to shop local this festive season as small business pop-up from Mastercard and Worldpay arrives at Birmingham’s Bullring

• Mastercard research shows 72 percent of Birmingham residents want to shop local this festive season, while 82 percent say small businesses are important to the local economy
• Thrive Street, a pop-up marketplace, will be at Birmingham’s Bullring from 8^th-10^th November
• The event – which is open to the public – is hosted by Mastercard and Worldpay as part of Strive UK, Mastercard’s free support programme for entrepreneurs

Support for Birmingham’s small businesses is strong ahead of the festive season. Almost three-quarters (72 percent) of Birmingham residents say they want to shop more from local small businesses in the run up to the holidays, with half (50 percent) citing support for their local community as the motivating factor for doing so, according to new research from Mastercard UK.

In a further boost for the region’s small businesses during the lead up to the holiday shopping period, Mastercard and Worldpay are partnering to bring Thrive Street, a pop-up marketplace, to Birmingham from 8^th-10^th November. The event will provide six local businesses with an opportunity to test physical retail space in the Bullring, one of Birmingham’s busiest central shopping areas.

With two in five (39 percent) respondents saying they would shop more with local businesses if they were situated at more convenient locations, the pop-up will allow local entrepreneurs to test retail space in the Bullring over the busy weekend period*.

Retail champion and ‘Queen of Shops’, Mary Portas formally opened Thrive Street Friday (8^thNovember) morning. Businesses exhibiting at the pop up include:

• Miss Macaroon one of Birmingham’s most well-renowned social enterprise businesses
• A Taste of Heaven a cake business set up during lockdown
• Give Yourself Kindness which provides therapist-approved wellbeing products
• It’s Halal a provider of halal recipe boxes
• Purendure a natural energy gel alternative
• Sparkle Lighting a seller of indoor and outdoor decorative lighting

Thrive Street is a celebration of entrepreneurialism and the small businesses that form the backbone of the UK economy. The contribution of small businesses to local economic success is widely recognised by those in the area, with eight in ten (82 percent) residents saying small businesses are important to the city’s economy.

Birmingham was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution earning the nickname, ‘the workshop of the world’. Today, that entrepreneurial spirit is alive, with the city home to over 36,000 enterprises – 89 percent of which are micro businesses**.

This history of entrepreneurship is a source of pride and continued optimism. Three-quarters (75 percent) of Birmingham residents believe entrepreneurialism is an important part of Birmingham’s history, and around three in five (57 percent) say prospects for small businesses are improving in Birmingham.

Retail champion and Queen of Shops, Mary Portas, comments: “I am continually impressed by the entrepreneurial talent on display at Thrive Street. Working with the Mastercard Strive programme over the past three years has demonstrated just how crucial it is to provide consistent, prolonged support to small businesses. Doing so doesn’t just benefit the entrepreneurs themselves, but also our communities, our economies, and our planet too. Thrive Street provides an ideal opportunity to further this support and celebrate the talented entrepreneurs across Birmingham and the West Midlands.”

Chris Wood, General Manager, SMB International at Worldpay, comments: “Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, driving growth and innovation across the nation. Through Thrive Street, we’re thrilled to celebrate the resilience and dynamism of Birmingham’s SMBs, giving them the platform and resources to further their success. Our commitment is to support these businesses not only by spotlighting their contributions but also by equipping them with essential tools and skills to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.”

Simon Forbes, President UK & Ireland, Mastercard, comments: “Small businesses are not just the cornerstone of the UK economy, they’re also the heartbeat of local communities. Entrepreneurs epitomise the values of creativity, resilience and dedication, and we’re proud to offer our support for local businesses. Thrive Street is a celebration of all these qualities and Birmingham, with its roots in entrepreneurship and multitude of talented small business owners, is the ideal backdrop for this celebration.”

Thrive Street is part of Mastercard’s Strive UK programme, an initiative that supports micro and small business owners with free access to training and targeted advice, with a particular focus on helping small businesses with digital skills. This year’s Thrive Street event is in partnership with Worldpay, which powers businesses of all sizes to make, take and manage payments.

*Bullring trading hours: Friday 10am – 8pm, Saturday 9am – 8pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm 

**https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/8449/birmingham_business_count_update_2023.docx