Pop-up aims to be the biggest market place for Black-owned businesses

NEANDRA ETIENNE

Musician and Black Pound Day founder Swiss first opened the doors to the pop-up store in Westfield Stratford City on Saturday 4 February.

Swiss established Black Pound Day to address the economic inequalities and imbalances that affect Black businesses and entrepreneurs in the UK and global diasporic communities.

Black Pound Day takes place on the first Saturday of every month, to support the growth of the UK Black economy. Consumers are encouraged to seek out and spend with Black-owned businesses locally and online. Black Pound Day has helped to establish new black businesses and increase the revenue for several businesses.

The opening at Westfield Stratford City was a huge success with lots of customers eager to see inside the pop-up store, which featured over 60 UK black-owned businesses.

Swiss happily served customers, including myself, at the till. It was a positive feeling to see so many people support the pop-up store.

DJs played music and entertained the customers while they shopped for lifestyle goods such as stationery, home accessories, clothing, books, toys, jewellery, beauty, food and cooking ingredients.

Swiss posted on his social media: “the store was ram, road block, shut down for practically the whole day. no exaggeration, the whole day. I truly underestimated the turn out. I have soooo much to say but need to gather my thoughts first, big up all my fellow DJs that came and made the launch a movie!!!!”

The Black Pound Day Store in Westfield Stratford City is open for a limited period. Their Westfield London