A new pop-up shop is opening today in Birmingham’s Great Western Arcade.

First of its kind

The first of its kind in the UK, the Square pop-up will run until the 16 September and follows in the footsteps of Square’s first physical store in New York, which opened last month.

Square is a financial services and mobile payment company that can help small businesses to take chip and PIN cards, contactless cards and other mobile payments.

The pop-up will offer a selection of products from local businesses across the West Midlands region, and representatives from Square will be there to answer questions about products and services.

Open daily, local business owners will also be able to pick up a free Square Reader if they visit the pop up shop and sign up for Square in September.

Opening hours:

Square’s pop-up shop will be open from 4th - 16th September from 09:00 - 18:00 Monday to Saturday and 11:00 - 17:00 on Sundays.

In addition, Square will host a series of free events and masterclasses for local business owners at the pop-up:

Free events:

• Thursday 7 September at 18.30: Alternative style blogger and salon owner Ree Ree Rockette will share tips on the importance of social media for small businesses and how to build an online following.

• Sunday 10 September at 14.00: Local creative community Badego will be host a meet up and record a podcast episode featuring businesses who have grown thanks to technology like Square.

• Monday 11 September at 18.30: Chef and best-selling food writer Gizzi Erskine will share what she learned from building her food business.

• Thursday 14 September at 18.30: Birmingham Brewery Company’s Paul Hardwood will talk about the challenges and joys of giving up your job to follow your dream - in his case to launch a ‘Brummie Beer’ range - a tasting of which will be held after his talk

Where:

The Great Western Arcade, Unit 6, Colmore Row, Birmingham, B2 5HU

With Square, businesses can take card payments with no monthly contracts or hidden fees, and get their money the next business day. It takes minutes to get started, and sellers can quickly and securely begin accepting chip & PIN and contactless payments from Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Square’s card reader costs £39 +VAT, but to celebrate Square's first UK pop up shop, local business owners can get a free Square Reader if they visit the pop up shop and sign up for Square in September.

For more information visit www.square.com/westmidlands