TfL debuts first ‘innovative retail destination’ with Old Street pop-ups

Pop-up shops form part of Transport for London’s (TfL) vision of modernising and improving its stations and introducing new services for its customers, it said.

TfL hired pop-up marketplace Appear Here in March to help bring in new and innovative retailers across its retail estate.

Old Street was chosen to pilot the pop-ups because of its proximity to Tech City, which TfL deemed a “creative and innovative location”.

The businesses opening at Old Street include stylish new optical brand Bailey Nelson, Fully Charged, a new electric bike company, and Spoon Cereals, a new breakfast food company.

TfL also has pop-up space at other key stations including St. James’s Park, Piccadilly Circus and Baker Street.

The pop-ups are part of TfL’s commercial development strategy, which is forecast over the next 10 years to generate £3.5bn, which it said will be reinvested back into the public transport network.

Tfl director of commercial development Graeme Craig said: “We are delighted with the vibrant and diverse line-up that is launching what we hope will be the first of many successful pop-up shops at Old Street station.

“Pop-up shops provide an opportunity for new and existing retailers to showcase their innovative products and services to the millions of people who use the station each year.”

This is the latest step by TfL to up its retail credentials. In January, it revealed that it was working with Asda, Tesco, Waitrose and automated parcel locker firm InPost to establish click-and-collect facilities at London Underground station car parks.