COUNCILLORS have agreed to carry on with a Pop-Up Shop in Wellington town centre – although they are going to increase fees for those who want to use the facility.

Members of Wellington Town Council’s economic development committee decided on June 10 to enter into a new five-year lease on the building in Fore Street at a rental cost of £6,000 per annum.

But they also agreed that the price for any business wanting to use the shop should increase by £25 to £175 a week with four-weekly hire charges set at £600.

The Pop-Up Shop was first opened by the town council in 2019 and has since been a venue for local traders, crafters, non-profit organisations and charities.

And although it has been successful in terms of becoming a well-used facility, it has not really been a money-earner for the council.

The cost has to hire the Pop-Up Shop has always been £150 per week plus utilities for businesses, while the council continues to offer 12 free weeks per year for a charity or non-profit organisations.

Although bookings for the shop had slightly decreased between 2022 and 2025, things have bounced back this year and the shop has been booked out for 45 weeks already.

But councillors are keen to see the council make a little bit extra return on the Pop-Up Shop initiative which has been copied in other towns.

Cllr Janet Lloyd said the Pop Up Shop “doesn’t wash its face” financially.

“We weren’t too sure about how successful it was going to be when it started it in 2019,” she said. “But some of those that have been in the Pop-Up Shop have gone on to set up businesses in the town.

“Other places are copying what we are doing here in Wellington. If we want to support the town and bring people in, I think the Pop-Up Shop is a really good idea and we should keep going with it.”

Committee chairman Cllr Keith Wheatley, having looked at the figures, said: “I would expect it to be a little bit closer to cost neutral. It is costing us some money to run. The rental fees haven’t been increased now since 2019. Do we put the prices up to £150 a week?

And Cllr Steve Mercer suggested putting the price up to £200.

Cllr Gareth Williams said: “I think the Pop-Up Shop is a fantastic asset for the town and brings people in.”

The Mayor, Cllr Mark Lithgow, said: “I think, realistically, we need to put up the price; but I’m not sure about putting it up by £50 as a big hike does tend to cause me concern.”

Cllr Wheatley said: “We have let things go too long without an inflationary increase. With hindsight we should have kept pace with inflation. I propose we put it up by £25 to £175 and we review it annually in line with inflation.”

That was supported by councillors who also agreed that charities and non-profit organisations could use the Pop-Up Shop for free.