Microenterprise People
Artists with disabilities showcase their works in the CBD.
Activate Perth’s Fill This Space program which matches vacant retail spaces in the Perth CBD with emerging businesses has secured a major space for Microenterprise People at 915 Hay Street, in the west end of the CBD.The MEP Marketplace is a pop-up shop featuring artisan products from over 25 Microenterprises. These Microenterprises are small businesses operated by people with disability, based around their passion, interests and skills.
All of sales will go directly to the people who have created artworks and made products and up to ten jobs for people with disability will be created paying retail award wages.
“Thanks to Activate Perth, Microenterprise People have been able to create a revolutionary opportunity for people with disability, that hasn’t been done like this before in Australia. Overall, this will have a great impact on the Perth city retail experience, by increasing inclusivity and showcasing the talents of people with disability,” Marcus Carney from Microenterprise People said.
“This is an outstanding project and Activate Perth with the support of building owners Redhill Partners and managing agent JLL is pleased to be able to bring life to this fantastic initiative that sees people with disabilities showcase, and more importantly sell their works,” Activate Perth Chair Kristi Dempster said.
Since starting in 2018 with the support of Perth’s building owners and leasing agents the Fill This Space program has seen over 60 businesses operating out of vacant shops in the CBD, primarily the Hay Street Mall. A number of these start-up businesses have gone on to successfully establish themselves permanently.
“Restoring Perth CBD’s vibrancy needs new, innovative and creative retail and food and beverage offerings that can’t be found in suburban shopping malls. MEP Marketplace is a wonderful example of bringing life to a high-end vacant retail space and giving people with disability a commercial outlet for their creativity.” Ms Dempster added.
MEP Marketplace is open daily until mid-April.
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