Pop-Up Shop In Chichester Becomes Permanent Thanks To Council Scheme

An up-and-coming business will continue to grow and thrive in Chichester’s Crane Street, thanks to a district council scheme.

Kateryna Kryvokhat'ko-Furlong runs ‘The Guilty Cyclist’, and has been open as part of Chichester District Council’s Pop-Up Shop scheme since July 2024.

The shop specialises in high-quality cycling clothing that has been designed to be extremely durable.

“I’m really pleased to say that I’ll be in Crane Street on a permanent basis,” says Kateryna, who also lives in Chichester.

“The Pop-Up Shop Scheme helped me settle into the city and welcome residents and visitors who are passionate about cycling.

"Thank you to all the customers that have supported me and helped make this dream a reality.

“I came up with the idea for my business, The Guilty Cyclist, after struggling to find quality cycling clothing that fit well and was durable.

"I’m also working with local bike maintenance businesses to offer cycling repair and maintenance workshops. I look forward to seeing more people come along and visit Crane Street!”

Launched to help support small and start-up businesses, Chichester District Council’s Pop-Up Shop scheme made use of suitable vacant properties owned by the council and provided them as affordable temporary premises.

This allowed smaller businesses to have the opportunity to trial business concepts and trade in the city centre without the commitment of a longer-term lease.

“The ultimate aim of the Pop-Up Shop scheme was to support businesses to eventually become permanent fixtures on our high street and I’m really delighted that The Guilty Cyclist will be staying,” says Councillor Harsha Desai, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Communication and Licensing and Events at Chichester District Council.

“As a council, we are committed to supporting our high streets and local businesses and want to do what we can to give smaller companies and start-ups the opportunity to trade in the city.

"Our Economic Development team have helped at least three businesses in locating Crane Street and the pop-up shop scheme has been successful in supporting a wide variety of businesses.

"Now that The Guilty Cyclist has become permanent, all of the council-owned units on Crane Street are occupied with a range of different businesses, which is fantastic news.”

Since launching, the council’s Pop-Up Shop scheme has welcomed a variety of local businesses, including a vintage clothing retailer, a digital printing firm, an ice cream business, a computing company, a flooring business, a children’s clothes shop, as well as artists and designers.

Businesses can find out more about the support the council offers online.