Set up a pop-up shop

Set up a pop-up shop
Introduction
Pop-up shops are temporary retail spaces. This short-term approach to running a business can be used for:

product promotion
brand awareness
testing the market
Pop-up shops can be great drivers of sales and awareness in product retail, from clothing to seasonal goods, or short-term food sales from a snack food operation to a restaurant. They are a great outlet for innovation and creativity, and can be a good first step for an entrepreneur looking to establish to a more permanent business.

This guide will help you to understand the process involved in planning and setting up your pop-up business in Northern Ireland. It will also point to further information on the main aspects of setting up, how to avoid pitfalls, and turn your pop-up business into a success.

Free business start-up support
Access free start-up business support from your local council. They will organise one-to-one mentoring sessions with your local business adviser and provide tailored guidance to develop your business plan.

Find a business idea
Business profiles provide guidance on the type of business you may want to start. Get information on over 600 small business trades, sectors and professions.

The profiles are free. Each profile provides advice on what you need to know when starting or running your chosen business. This includes:

start-up costs
skills and qualifications
market trends
pricing
rules and regulations
You can request up to three profiles.

Buy a franchise
Introduction
Taking on a franchise is an option worth considering for anyone who wants to run a business but doesn’t have a specific business idea or prefers the security provided by an established concept.

The right franchise can give you a head start. Instead of setting up a business from scratch, you use a proven business idea. Typically, you trade under the brand name of the business offering you the franchise and they give you help and support.

Successful franchises have a much lower failure rate than completely new businesses. However, you will still need to work hard to make the franchise a success and you may have to sacrifice some of your own business ideas to fit in with the franchisor’s terms.

This guide will help you decide whether franchising is for you. It shows how you can find the right franchise and highlights the key issues you need to consider.

Buy an existing business
Introduction
If you’re thinking about running your own business, buying a company that’s already established may be quicker and easier than starting from scratch.

However, you will need to put time and effort into finding the business that’s right for you. Also, the costs involved in buying an existing business can be substantial and should not be underestimated.

This guide takes you through the steps of buying an existing business, including how to assess and value a business, your obligations to any existing staff and where you can get professional help. It also highlights the advantages and disadvantages of buying an existing business.