Notting Hill pop-up shop to give independent British makers their high street debut this Christmas

Official Press Release

Notting Hill pop-up shop to give independent British makers their high street debut this Christmas

• EDF and Enterprise Nation open festive retail testing ground, letting small businesses trade in person without the cost or commitment of their own premises
• Initiative forms part of the next phase of EDF Small Business and Enterprise Nation’s Powering Local Businesses partnership
• Wider programme includes sustainability grants, free EV chargers, expert webinars and a new podcast series

A shop on Notting Hill’s Kensington Park Road will give independent British makers a chance to try bricks-and-mortar retail for the first time next month, without the upfront cost or long-term commitment of taking on a space of their own.

The Christmas pop-up shop, opened by EDF and Enterprise Nation and supported by NatWest and Square as part of their Powering Local Businesses partnership, will trade from 204 Kensington Park Road, from Wednesday 2nd to Saturday 12th December 2026. It will be shared by a group of small independent businesses, many of whom have previously sold only online or at markets.

Leading the line-up are three amazing makers whose products reflect the craft, care and character of the UK’s independent creative business scene.

Kathy Kyle Studio makes ethical, sustainable wearable art. Her work is inspired by nature, the fast talking dames of old Hollywood films, and slow, vintage style. Her capsule collection includes hand-painted motif scarves ethically printed onto 100% mulberry silk and hand finished in Lyon, France and in Dorking, Surrey. They can be knotted at the neck, tied in the hair, looped through a bag handle or wrapped around the wrist. They come in a choice of colour ways and are presented in an ethically made gift box. Shoppers will also find gifting bundles, double-sided velvet scarves, recycled velvet cushions, giclée prints, hand-painted cards, festive gift wrap, and vintage French scarf rings.

Kathy said: “My work is about story, heritage and memories that connect us, whether that’s a jewel in the British Museum’s collection or the motifs in our daily lives. I create heirlooms for life’s milestones, made sustainably, cared for and passed down. Not a seasonal purchase, but a wearable heirloom.

“I believe art shouldn’t stay on the wall. It should be worn, lived with and given. Every piece begins as an original painting, with motifs drawn so that anyone can find their own story in them. In Notting Hill, people can see and try the work in person, from silk and velvet to prints, cards and cushions, and choose something that feels like their own.

“The world doesn’t need more things. It needs more things that matter. Everything we make is handmade and ethically made, and we put people, planet and product before profit. This pop-up lets my independent, female-led studio show what that means, face to face, just as people are choosing what to give. To be selected from more than 300 businesses, alongside East & Essex and Bobby Dazzler, is an honour and a joy. Thank you to Enterprise Nation, EDF, NatWest and Square for opening the door.”

A bespoke doll brand founded by London art college illustration graduates Rosie short and Fumie Kamijo, Bobby Dazzler will showcase Betsy the Bear, a handmade bear made to order by the team in London’s Brick Lane. Every doll in the collection is unique, so no two look exactly alike. From their studio in East London, they create one-of-a-kind dolls using upcycled materials wherever possible. Every doll has its own personality and story. Beyond their dolls, they also create illustrated products and collaborate with other brands, bringing their playful world of characters to life in all sorts of ways.

Rosie said: “We met studying Illustration at Camberwell College of Arts, where our doodles and stories soon came to life as quirky characters and one-of-a-kind dolls. We took our dolls to the craft markets of Brick Lane, where they found their first homes.

"Today our characters live all around the world. Each one comes from the curious world of Bobby Dazzler, with its own personality, quirks and a story waiting to be discovered."

Bold earring brand East & Essex is for women who never skip earrings. Made to be worn on repeat, the collections combine bold designs with everyday wearability. Crafted from high-quality 316L stainless steel, each pair is water-resistant, tarnish-resistant and made to last, durable enough to be worn from morning workouts to evening plans.

Founder Liz Puddicombe said: “I've always been someone who never leaves the house without earrings, and I know I'm not alone. I love how a great pair of earrings can completely transform an outfit, even when you're wearing something really simple. I started East&Essex to create bold, beautiful pieces that don't have to be saved for special occasions. Earrings you can put on in the morning and keep on, whatever your day looks like. For me, it's about making a statement every day, not just when you're dressing up.”

“Many small businesses dream of having a shop on the high street but are held back by the cost and commitment involved,” said Aaron Asadi, CEO of Enterprise Nation. “This pop-up gives independent makers the chance to trade in person at the most important time of year, meet customers face to face and learn what works, all without the risk of taking on premises of their own.”

Claire Nutt, Director of Small Business at EDF, said: “Small businesses are the focal point of our local communities, and we want to help give them practical opportunities to grow. Our Notting Hill pop-up will help independent British makers test physical retail, reach new customers and build confidence this Christmas.”

The shop gives each business the chance to meet customers face to face, test products and pricing, and gain first-hand experience of physical retail during the busiest trading period of the year.

Businesses interested in future opportunities can find out more at enterprisenation.com/poweringlocalbusinesses.

ENDS

For more information about the Powering Local Businesses partnership, visit enterprisenation.com/poweringlocalbusinesses

Media contact: Liz Slee, Enterprise Nation, liz@enterprisenation.com

Notes to editors

When: Wednesday 2nd to Saturday 12th December 2026

Where: 204 Kensington Park Road, London W11 1NR

Opening hours: Mon – Sat 10am to 8pm, Sunday (December 6) 11am to 5pm

About Enterprise Nation

Launched in 2005, Enterprise Nation is one of the UK’s leading small business support platforms, with a community of more than 250,000 across the UK and Ireland. It helps people start and grow businesses through free-to-join membership, expert advice and adviser matching, funding information, events and local meet-ups, e-learning, peer groups and exclusive offers. It also runs business support programmes and campaigns with corporate, government and local authority partners.

In 2026, Enterprise Nation announced a strategic partnership with NatWest to create a more streamlined path to growth for early-stage businesses. The collaboration marks a shift in how UK firms receive support, as two major providers integrate their services into a comprehensive and accessible growth network including access to accelerators.

Enterprise Nation has also developed a proprietary platform called the SME Index, which connects public, commercial and Enterprise Nation data to create an agile picture of how 5.6 million UK businesses perform, grow and access finance. It offers searchable, structured intelligence on the small business landscape.

For more information, visit enterprisenation.com.