The very first Blue Patch Sustainable Department Store

The UK’s first Pop Up Sustainable Department Store opened on a rather wet Saturday on October 1st 2016 – to 1000 visitors in a day!

Lala & Bea

Many happy customers came to browse and buy from Blue Patch Members. 

Fable & Base

 

The day passed in a blur of sales, newly formed friendships, collaborations, talks and cooking demos. Here’s our film and some photos for taste of what it was like. 

The Blue Patch Film

‘Support independent business. You’ll experience great service, peerless quality and create a more sustainable British economy.’

Baggar’s Velvet

 

‘It was a wonderful day – the buzz and the energy and so many smiling friendly people. The rain was tipping down – but everyone was happy to be in a warm bright place.’ 

‘I loved the positive spirit of the members, I was pleased they had an opportunity to meet each other – spontaneous collaborations were happening even at the event!’

‘I’m still meeting locals saying they loved the event and how fabulous the products were – they spent a small fortune too!’

In true department store fashion we had: Homewares, Furniture, Fashion, Food, Kids, Wellbeing, Gifts and Leisure and a chance to meet face to face.

Plenty of conversations: 

‘High Streets for the Future – a conversation’ was chaired by our MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, Helen Hayes with guests Kate Hills, Founder of Make it British and Meet the Manufacturer, Elizabeth Cox, Associate Director of the New Economics Foundation, Duncan Law, Founder Member of Transition Town Brixton, REconomy and the Brixton Pound, Cheryl Cohen Director of London Farmers Markets, Mark Brearley Managing Director of Kaymet and Giles Gibson, Ex Chair of the Herne Hill Forum and member of Blue Patch’s Executive Board. Read the blog to find out more. 

The Department Store was officially opened by the Mayor of Southwark Cllr Kath Whittam who enjoyed meeting exhibitors and having a browse. The event was also attended by Roger Beckett, Vice Chair Southwark Chamber of Commerce and the Cabinet Member for Business, Employment and Culture, Cllr Johnson Situ. 

‘Thanks a lot for all the organising and social media coverage for Saturday’s event! It was great to be part of your first sustainable department store pop-up!’ Nikki Kreis of Kreisdesign.

The Hub: themed around sustainability, apprenticeships, starting a business, ethical investing and green energy. 

‘Thank you to you and the team for organising Saturday so well. We had a good day meeting people and today I have some designers I spoke with coming to see us. The networking and opportunity to present our company made it a very worthwhile event for us to participate in.’ Henry from the Bysshe Partnership.

Kamera Obscura

Sally Nencini

‘I learned so much from taking part and from other exhibitors giving me tips and advice. Looking forward to the next pop up shop!!!’ Janet Tod.

And we can’t wait until next time … 

Thank you for the photos from Diane Patrice and Phoebe Langley Gussin

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