What we need to tackle now is making the infrastructure and cultural change that will make growth and long-term development easier and more achievable for start-ups and micro businesses.

As the number of new companies created in the UK continues to increase, we're seeing businesses start-up based on a passion, hobby or skill, that can be turned into a way of making a living.

Until recently, pop-up shops have had a mixed reputation. The 'everything must go' hastily scrawled in white spray paint, or uninspiring charity shops are the oft-criticised and cited version most commonly associated with the re-use of empty shops - but more recently the pop-up concept has taken an intellectual leap.

'The Next Big Thing?' is a series of blogs that will focus on small businesses and startup brands in the U.K. Whether they are quirky, practical, pion...