After an extension, the pop-up space we created at 28-29 High Street, Bargoed has now come to a close. High streets everywhere are facing challenges, and Bargoed is no exception. We’ve developed pop-up initiatives across Wales to bring short-term uses to empty spaces, supporting struggling high streets.
Background
28/29 High Street was a large, disused former supermarket unit in a prominent position that was empty and deteriorating. Urban Foundry, experts in pop-up or meanwhile spaces, worked with Caerphilly County Borough Council to transform it into a thoughtfully designed, multi-purpose space. Despite working with low-cost materials and a ‘quick, fast, cheap’ approach, the transformation successfully improved the frontage and revitalised what was previously a derelict area.
Initially intended to run as a pilot for a few months, it was extended to nearly 18 months to accommodate a range of users.
Pop-up uses
The versatility of the space led to a wide range of uses, including workshops, training sessions, coworking, meetings, retail (test trading), community groups, stakeholder engagement, and information sessions. It also became a place where the community could connect with support organisations, ranging from employment services to local police community officers.
The stats
Altogether, over 24 unique users and organisations, ranging from independent retailers to public service providers, used the space – many of them with repeated uses.
The space recorded 780 bookings. Retail traders like Haley Evans at Spirit and Soul used the central location to test products and engage with customers. The project has since supported her move into a dedicated pop-up shop in Ystrad Mynach, giving her the chance to further grow her business.
Community groups like Go Connect Wales and Platfform used the space to deliver wellbeing and mental health initiatives. This mix of activities brought life to a space that would have otherwise remained empty during a challenging economic period.
Workshops and training – building skills locally
The project also arranged workshops and training sessions to upskill local entrepreneurs with valuable skills and resources. The topics were based on what attendees said they wanted support with and included how to write a simple marketing plan, social media marketing, and how to use LinkedIn successfully.
Positive feedback
“This space has been invaluable for me to test my products and get feedback from the community. It’s given me the confidence to take the next step with my business.”
Haley Evans, Owner, Spirit and Soul
“The space was affordable and central, allowing me to meet new customers and raise awareness of my business. It’s been a fantastic opportunity to grow and shape my business. It’s also a great way to bring independent businesses and traders together, adding energy to Bargoed.”
Rhian Parry, Owner, Mennow’s
“I’m grateful for the forward-thinking approach of Caerphilly County Council and Urban Foundry in creating this space in Bargoed. The workshops I attended were pivotal, and I’ve already implemented some of the strategies shared there. Supporting local businesses is so important – it benefits us as business owners and strengthens the wider Caerphilly economy.”
Donna Gilbert, Owner, Turned On Its Head
“Bringing vacant buildings into beneficial use, whether that be a business interest, or on a more community–inspired theme, has been welcomed by the community. We are intent on trying lots of different things to drive more uses in our towns, in what is a challenging environment.”
Jamie Pritchard, Deputy Leader, Caerphilly County Borough Council, and Cabinet Member for Prosperity, Regeneration & Transformation
“I’m so proud of this project. Yes, the data and outputs are impressive, but most importantly, I have had some really positive feedback from local entrepreneurs, businesses, and organisations that have used the space. This is about more than just filling empty shops – it’s about creating opportunities for local people and businesses to grow.”
Jo Hillier-Raikes, Town Centre Manager, Caerphilly County Borough Council
“We’ve worked across numerous local authorities, using our knowledge and experience to make pop-ups a success. To date, we’ve worked on 81 spaces, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see some of the users move into permanent spaces. I love the positive feedback we receive – Bargoed has been one of my favourite projects to work on.”
Tara Tarapetian, Director of Urban Foundry
Proven benefits of pop-ups
Research shows that pop-up spaces can have a big impact on local economies by reducing red tape, revitalising empty units, and increasing footfall on high streets. For landlords, these temporary uses can showcase the potential of vacant spaces, often leading to longer-term tenancies.
For small businesses, pop-ups offer a lower-risk way to test products, build brand visibility, and connect with customers, and increase confidence. Pop-ups also bring a fresh feel to local areas, encouraging community engagement and supporting broader regeneration efforts.
A lasting legacy
Now that the pop-up project has come to a close, the legacy of Bargoed High Street remains – a proven model for how meanwhile spaces can drive economic growth, community cohesion, and business development. The impact of the initiative will be felt long after the doors have closed, as local businesses continue to apply the skills, connections, and confidence they gained throughout the project.
To chat to us about pop-up spaces, please email: ideas@urbanfoundry.co.uk
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
