The University of Westminster hosted their second circular economy pop-up market in collaboration with Hazaar marketplace, this time on Marylebone Campus. Hazaar is the only zero-waste marketplace in the UK, creating circular economies across universities in the country.
Westminster partnered with Hazaar earlier this year, which was facilitated by the University’s Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation (CETI) and held their second pop-up store on 26 November. The event was held at the Marylebone Campus’s Learning Platform and had vendors from Westminster as well as other London universities. The items students sold included pre-owned clothing, handmade jewellery, artwork and hand-knitted items.
The pop-up store also promoted the Westminster Enterprise Network (WeNetwork) to students and colleagues, encouraging them to join the community of young entrepreneurs. WeNetwork is the University’s entrepreneurial network, bringing together students and recent graduates within industry to develop their entrepreneurial skills, engage in self-employment work and create businesses.
The pop-up also had a stall advertising Hazaar, which taught people how to use the app to buy and sell items, as well as inform them about the online communal platform that they plan to create where they can send regular updates about future Westminster pop-up stores and more.
Hazaar is an online and on-site shop that offers the opportunity to buy and sell preloved and homemade items, making the academic year more affordable, stress-free and kind to the planet, while enhancing Westminster students’ employability. Student sellers sign up for a free stand to showcase their small business and creative talent or simply to sell their items. Hazaar is the only no postage marketplace, where sellers can simply meet up in person to hand over items, making it zero waste as no postage means no wasteful packaging or travel fumes.
About the event, Emma Van Breemen, Events and Activations Manager at Hazaar, said: “Following our first pop-up market at Harrow Campus, it was great to take the pop-up to the Marylebone Campus! For our second pop-up, we had double the number of student sellers and it was great to host both new sellers and returning students from the Harrow event. We're really excited to be part of growing students' confidence and experience and look forward to the next event.”
Prableen Gurwara, one of Hazaar's brand ambassadors at Westminster, added: “The Hazaar Pop-Up Market was a vibrant and inspiring event, bringing together a community of passionate sellers showcasing their incredible handmade creations. It was exciting to see so many small businesses having a platform to present their sustainable products, each telling a unique story of craftsmanship and care for the planet. From eco-friendly homeware to thoughtfully curated fashion, every stall was a testament to creativity and commitment to sustainability. The energy of the market was infectious, with sellers and buyers connecting over shared values of supporting local businesses and promoting eco-conscious lifestyles. It was more than just a marketplace, it was a celebration of innovation, sustainability, and community spirit.”
The mix of digital and on-site marketplace provides multiple avenues for students to engage depending on preference. Student businesses especially benefit from the on-site events as they can gain quick feedback on their products, helping them to grow quicker and develop their products depending on customer feedback.
The next pop-up will be on Harrow Campus next year. The date is to be confirmed and will be announced on the University’s social media channels.
The University’s collaboration with Hazaar directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and 17: Partnership for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Westminster students and colleagues can download the Hazaar app to access the University’s circular economy marketplace.
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