Photography: Nick Ballon
The Poundshop is a platform for designers to sell designer goods under the strict brief that the product is to be sold within the affordable price bands £1, £5 and £10.
The aim of The Poundshop is to spread design to a wider audience by making it accessible through price and engagement. Working with a wide range of designers, most of whom are new to making products, The Poundshop is the perfect testing ground for them to experiment with new and interesting products. With low overheads and the minimal risk of small-scale production, participants are able to experience the markets reaction to their wares first hand. The Poundshop pop up online shop, allows users to purchase products online and our products have now been sold to all corners of the world.
The Poundshop has worked with many cultural institutions to establish itself on the design calendar such as HighStreet2012, Mother London, The Shoreditch Trust, Somerset House, Newham council, Tower Hamlets,The Architecture Foundation and Wieden+Kennedy.
The Poundshop was founded in April 2010 by George Wu, Sarah Gottlieb and Sara Melin. The idea was born during a discussion about love for design shops, but as the recession just hit, not having the capital to set one up ourselves. A friend who works for Croydon council, suggested we set up one in Croydon as there are many disused shops, and thought we should set up a poundshop. What started as a joke, turned into a real exhibition as we set ourselves the challenge to create the first design poundshop.
George Wu, Sarah Gottlieb and Sara Melin met whilst studying at Royal College of Art and have since graduating in 2008, worked together on several design projects.
In the end of 2012 Sarah Gottlieb, sadly left The Poundshop and moved to Denmark, for the love of her life. The Poundshop is now run by George Wu and Sara Melin.