1. Space 2… Buy
Encouraging Local Entrepreneurship
more on: http://designdisruptiongroup.wordpress.com/
HEI: Northumbria University; Design Disruption Group
Main Partners: Newcastle YMCA, Eldon Gardens Shopping Centre
Funders: Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF)
Place: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Keywords: community-based enterprises; social enterprises

2. Context: The Space 2… Buy “Pop Up” Shop was part of a wider
Space 2… initiative, run with Newcastle YMCA who have been
working with a range of businesses in Newcastle City Centre to
help tackle the mounting crisis of youth unemployment in the
region.

3. Click on the icon below to insert one or
more images showing the project…
(of people, objects and places)
Add text below to summarise the starting
concept and strategy, how did the
project develop? what were some of the
key outputs and outcomes?
Project Response:
The key objective of the project was to encourage more
entrepreneurship in Newcastle and inspire young people to create
their own opportunities through design. Each participant created
10 identical products for no more than £20 and then sold them in
the Space 2… Buy “Pop Up” Shop. 20% of all profits made went to
Newcastle YMCA and the remainder went to the creator.

4. Actor Profile: Northumbria University, Faculty of Arts, Design
and Social Sciences Students and Staff
Over 100 staff and students from the Faculty of Arts, Design and
Social Sciences created over 200 unique products for sale in the
Space 2… Buy “Pop Up” Shop. This “real world” project gave
students (and staff) valuable experience into how to
commercialise their design ideas.

5. Actor Profile: Newcastle YMCA
YMCA staff have gained confidence and motivation to think
differently about their work and turn small ideas into real beneficial
change. Also, the Space 2… Buy “Pop Up” Shop initiative has
shown them how they can generate revenue that will make their
charity more sustainable.

6. Actor Profile: Eldon Gardens Shopping Centre
The “Pop Up” Shop was received with great interest from the
Eldon Gardens customers and the challenge was of real benefit to
both the designers and customers alike. Eldon Gardens have
suggested working on similar projects with Northumbria University
in the future.

7. The Space 2… Buy “Pop Up” Shop opened for 4 days in Eldon
Gardens, Newcastle. Over 100 participants from Northumbria
University and Newcastle YMCA created 10 identical products for no
more than £20. At the end of 4 days, we made over £1500 profit and
donated 20% to Newcastle YMCA.

8. Tools and Methods:
Participants brought their own personal approach to this project.
Many of them untapped highly creative and entrepreneurial skills they
never knew they had. Northumbria University Faculty of Arts, Design
and Social Sciences helped support many of the projects realised
through careful and supportive mentoring as well as access to
manufacturing processes and techniques.

9. Role of Design:
Design played a huge role in this project. By designing and making
10 relatively simple identical objects, over 100 participants showed
that profit can be made in only 4 days. Design, therefore, has shown
that it can re-energise communities and support greater levels of
entrepreneurship in communities.

10. Project Output and Impact:
Over 100 contributors.
Over 200 individual products sold.
Over £1500 profit made in only 4 days.
Over 300 visitors to the “Pop Up” Shop every hour.
Newcastle YMCA “delighted”.
Eldon Gardens Shopping Centre “ecstatic”.

11. Learning outcomes:
The key learning outcomes:
• Deep insight into “real world” commercial opportunities.
• Working with other collaborators, negotiating and communicating.
• Designing and market testing original ideas.
• Ease or difficulty in selling your design ideas to others.
• Managing a tight budget.
• How to make a profit.

12. Successes and Shortcomings:
Engagement with collaborators YMCA and Eldon Gardens a huge
success.
Visitor numbers and profit made a huge success.
An excellent experience for all involved.
Significant logistical issues involved (e.g. lost stock, Trading
Standards, etc…)
Key enablers were all the participants involved (i.e. Northumbria
University, Newcastle YMCA, and Eldon Gardens, Newcastle).