Day one at our brand-new pop-up shop in the Beacon Centre, North Shields — and honestly, we’re still processing it.
Over 50 people visited the shop on day one alone. Readers, supporters, curious passers-by, first-timers who’d seen the tote bags around town — and people who just wanted to say hello. Meeting you face to face reminded us why I Love North Shields exists in the first place.
This pop-up has been made possible through an innovative scheme by The Business Factory North Tyneside, following the success of their pop-up shop at Wallsend’s Forum Shopping Centre. It’s designed to give grassroots and start-up initiatives the confidence, experience and support to step into retail — and for community-led projects like ours, that support genuinely matters.
When Stories Stop You in Your Tracks
Among all the conversations, one moment has really stayed with us.
A woman came into the shop and told us she lives with Multiple Sclerosis. She explained that during a difficult period, she was bed-ridden and unable to leave her home. During that time, our magazine helped bring the outside world in.
She told us that reading I Love North Shields made her feel connected — to the town, to people, to everyday life — even when she physically couldn’t be part of it. She still felt included. Still felt part of something.
That hit close to home. MS is something our founder’s family has lived with too, so hearing that story was deeply personal and incredibly moving. It reminded us that what we do isn’t “just a magazine”. It’s connection. It’s visibility. It’s belonging.
And that matters more than numbers ever will.
Listening, Learning, Growing
One of the biggest joys of day one was simply listening.
Several people told us they’d love to see I Love North Shields car bumper stickers — something simple, visible, and proudly local. Consider that officially noted 👀
These kinds of ideas don’t come from boardrooms. They come from conversations. From standing in a shop, chatting, laughing, swapping stories, and hearing directly from the people we exist for.
Why This Pop-Up Matters
Being in the Beacon Centre for the next two weeks isn’t just about Christmas shopping (although yes — it’s the perfect time for local gifts).
It’s about:
- Meeting our readers
- Hearing your stories
- Creating real-world connection
- Opening the door to volunteering and collaboration
- Showing what a community-powered platform looks like in practice
We’re also proud to have our Photowalk Two pop-up gallery on the walls, bringing local photography into a shared public space — exactly where it belongs.
Thank You
A massive thank you to:
- The Business Factory North Tyneside for backing this initiative
- North Tyneside Council for supporting local economic growth
- Our volunteers, especially Rachel Riley (Head of Photography), Tatjana (Head of Operations) and Diane Wailes (Senior Writer), who helped make day one happen — we genuinely couldn’t do this without you
And most importantly: thank you to everyone who walked through the door.
We’ll be here 10am–4pm, from 17th December until 24 December, in the Beacon Centre, North Shields.
Pop in. Say hi. Share an idea. Tell us what I Love North Shields means to you.
We’re listening — and we always will be.
📍 Extra Info: Visit, Connect & Get Involved
🛍️ Pop-Up Shop Location
Beacon Centre, North Shields
🕙 Opening Times
10am–4pm
From now until 24 December
📖 About I Love North Shields
A hyper-local, community-powered magazine and creative platform celebrating the people, stories and everyday life of North Shields.
👉 https://ilovenorthshields.com/
🤝 Interested in Volunteering or Collaborating?
Writers, photographers, poets, event helpers — or just people with ideas.
📧 hello@ilovenorthshields.com
📸 Photowalk Two – Pop-Up Gallery
Now on display inside the shop, showcasing local photography captured through our community photowalks.
🏪 Want to run your own pop-up?
Find out more about the scheme via The Business Factory North Tyneside:
👉 https://www.businessfactorynt.co.uk/
