Redbridge Council adds a Spark of entrepreneurship to Ilford High Street
Published: 21 June 2022
Redbridge Council recently opened The Spark Lab, a new innovative shop space for local business owners and entrepreneurs looking to kick-start their business in the heart of Ilford.
Located on High Road Ilford, The Spark Lab will host seven small businesses on a six-week rotation, providing shoppers with new goods, services and activities.
All businesses taking up residency in The Spark Lab were handpicked by local stakeholders and a panel of local young people. They will use the space to showcase and sell their products while receiving specialist advice on how best to grow their business.
Supported by the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, The Spark Lab is part of Redbridge Council’s plans to rejuvenate the town centre and create a Cultural Quarter in Ilford, bringing art, music and creativity to the area.
The Pop-Club is the first business to take up residency in The Spark Lab, delighting shoppers with a unique array of gifts, handmade treasures, prints and artwork designs, and handcrafted gems and jewellery.
Tillie Peel, Owner and Founder of The Pop-Up Club, said: “To be situated on the Ilford High Street in a new space alongside so many brilliant retailers and traders, with the chance to be welcomed by residents and local shoppers, has been so exciting for us. It’s a good feeling to know we’re doing our bit, generating income for the local economy and the small business economy as a whole”.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, said:“The Spark Lab provides an incredible opportunity for budding local entrepreneurs to showcase and grow their businesses in the heart of Ilford.
"In Redbridge, we are lucky to have a wealth of creative entrepreneurs. We want to work with them to develop their talent, support local businesses and provide a unique shopping experience in our town centre.”
The Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Kam Rai, said: “The Spark Lab provides local entrepreneurs a real platform to build and grow their business in a sought-after location. This is just one of many ways in which we’re supporting our borough’s local businesses, and not only will they benefit from the space and expert advice on how best to grow their business”.
The Spark Lab is open seven days a week from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 5pm Saturdays. For more information on The Spark Lab, please contact business.enterprise@redbridge.gov.uk.
For more information about The Pop-Up Club, visit the site here .
