About Cardiff
Cardiff, Wales’ vibrant capital city, has so much to offer visitors. The city is teeming with events suitable for people of all ages and interests, including sports tournaments, museums, shopping centres, theatre performances, cinemas and more. Additionally, the locals and tourists love Cardiff for its many serene green spaces. If you travel a short distance outside of the city, you’ll stumble upon castles, rivers, forests and, slightly further afield, stunning National Parks.
Cardiff is a great place to host a pop-up shop or event. As Wales’ capital city, it attracts visitors from across the world who come and enjoy all there is to see and do. The good news is that over 20 million people visit Cardiff annually, so there is likely to be plenty of footfall. This short guide will have you craft a pop-up event that customers will thoroughly enjoy!
Pop-Up Vendor Options in Cardiff
Pop-up planning is serious business. There are several moving parts to consider, and as a result, you should consider hiring some outside help. Local businesses such as marketing agencies and equipment hire companies will help you set the scene for your pop-up, increasing attendees’ chances of having a positive experience.
- Equipment Hire
Depending on the nature of your pop-up, you may need to hire extra equipment to ensure all who visit are as comfortable as possible. For example, if you’re creating a pop-up shop, you’ll need to ensure the venue space is well-equipped with shelving, rails, seating, tables and whatever else you may require.
- Event Marketing
A successful pop-up event needs eye-catching marketing to get customers through the door. Suppose your company doesn’t have the resources or personnel to create compelling marketing materials. In that case, you may want to consider outsourcing to a local event marketing agency. The agency will recommend ways to create sufficient buzz around the event, perhaps by doing a targeted social media campaign or creating posters to distribute across Cardiff.
- Branded Items
If you’re launching a pop-up shop and you want to get people excited about your brand, consider getting some branded freebies created. After all, who doesn’t love a freebie? You can tailor the freebies to your business, as the item options are endless. Choose from a wide selection of items such as USB drives, pens, bags, T-shirts, bottle openers, hats, mugs and much, much more!
Pop-Up Vendors in Cardiff
- Pure Tech Audio Visual
If you require audiovisual equipment, look no further! The team at Pure Tech are audiovisual specialists. Established in 2007, the company supplies audiovisual equipment, PA systems, sound, lighting and staging equipment for various events such as weddings and corporate events. Stock is ever-expanding, meaning Pure Tech can offer you the very best audiovisual equipment available today. Additionally, all equipment is inspected and tested before use to ensure it runs perfectly at your event.
- JacBee
Based in the Cardiff area, JacBee is an event management company that covers event planning, organisation, marketing and delivery. Taking a systematic approach to event management, the company draws on extensive industry knowledge to deliver top-notch events that delight all in attendance. If you’re not looking for a full-service event management package, that is no problem. JacBee offers stand-alone services to suit your requirements, such as design, print and event communication services.
- Total Merchandise
The multiple award-winning company Total Merchandise offers a wide variety of promotional items you can give to those who attend your pop-up event. Choose from bags, mugs, pens, power banks, speakers, headphones, keyrings, umbrellas, hand sanitisers, torches, bottle openers, charging pads and more. One of the best things about Total Merchandise is that they offer extremely fast turnaround times. So if you find that you’ve left it until late on in the day to order the items you need, there’s no need to worry!
Pros and Cons of Pop-Up Venues in Cardiff
Advantages
- Tourist population
Cardiff is a popular tourist destination as it has a lot to offer visitors, including a host of thrilling attractions. Famous attractions include the Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium, the Wales Millennium Centre, Roath Park and St Fagans National Museum of History. The more people in the city, the more customers you can attract to your pop-up event!
- Friendly people
Part of running a pop-up shop is engaging with customers. You would want to interact with welcoming people who will find interest in your products, build relationships with customers and eventually gain a steady clientele. Luckily, Cardiff has been voted as the third friendliest city in the UK, according to a 2021 Conde Nast Traveller survey.
Disadvantages
- Traffic congestion
Like most cities in the UK, Cardiff has its problems with traffic congestion. However, one study found that Cardiff has some of the worst traffic jams in the entire UK! So try walking or cycling instead to avoid getting stuck in traffic whilst preparing for your pop-up event.
- Weather
Ask someone from Cardiff what the worst thing about the city is and they’ll probably say: “the weather”. The city receives an average of 149 days of rain per year, making it the wettest city in the UK. If hiring an outdoor venue for your pop-up event or shop, consider getting tents or marquees for protection. Or better yet, hire an indoor venue!
Famous Locations in Cardiff
- The Senedd
The Senedd is the home of the Welsh National Assembly. Inside the building, officials make laws for the country, agree on taxation and hold the Welsh Government to account on various matters. The magnificent building is made up of mostly wood and glass, representing transparency and sustainability. If you like, you can even sit down in the gallery and listen to fascinating discussions. Additionally, the Senedd hosts various interesting exhibitions, events and activities to suit a variety of interests.
- The Victorian Arcades
You cannot visit Cardiff without spending some time browsing the beautiful Victorian arcades. There are six of them in total, and they all offer something a little different. For example, in the Castle Quarter, you’ll find High Street Arcade, Duke Street Arcade and Castle Arcade. The arcades are made up of delightful vintage clothes, crafts and coffee shops, making it the perfect place to explore for a couple of hours.