economy
January 12, 2026
Flair trade: meet the brilliant small businesses experiencing the Mary Portas effect
The queen of shops has handpicked 30 retailers – including a sustainable-umbrella maker and a specs designer – to showcase their genius at pop-up markets in Manchester and London this month
TL;DR
- Thrive Street markets, curated by Mary Portas, Mastercard, and Worldpay, aim to support and showcase independent small businesses.
- Soaked, a sustainable umbrella brand founded by Megan Oliver and David Gillooly, uses recycled plastic bottles and wood for its products.
- Inara Loungewear offers 100% cotton pyjamas inspired by childhood summers in India and holistic wellbeing.
- Pepper You, an environmentally conscious jewellery brand, uses recycled materials and partners with Ecologi to plant trees.
- House of Spectacles creates bespoke, well-fitting eyewear, addressing the issue of poorly fitting mass-produced glasses.
- The markets will feature masterclasses, expert panels, and networking events for participating businesses.
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