Thrive Street: Applications now open for SMBs

In 2024, Worldpay partnered with Mastercard in the U.K. to host a pop-up event in Birmingham, England. Thrive Street provided six small businesses with the opportunity to showcase their products in a physical retail space in one of the city’s most buzzing shopping areas.

Its success left only one course for 2025: make Thrive Street bigger and better. Presented again by Mastercard and Worldpay, this year’s market will give 30 growing small U.K. businesses the chance to get a boost through exposure, useful tools and expert advice.

Thrive Street is coming to:

• Manchester: Oct. 17-19 at Altogether Otherwise, an ever-changing community hub that operates as an SMB itself.
• London: Oct. 24-26 at the Truman Brewery, a reimagined industrial space tucked behind Brick Lane in Ely’s Yard that draws artists, trendsetters and creative entrepreneurs.

Both retail hubs will be transformed into dynamic marketplaces by day and entrepreneurial incubators and networking hubs by night.

A celebration of purpose-driven small businesses

The search for the 30 businesses has run through August and is being curated by retail expert Mary Portas, who says: “Small and growing businesses are the beating heart of our economy and the soul of our communities. They bring creativity, culture and character to our Main Streets – and they need more than applause; they need real support.”

It's the desire to help provide that support that Thrive Street is built on. Businesses who are selected will:

• Showcase their wares in a unique retail space.
• Trial a Worldpay 360 device with full onboarding support.
• Boost brand visibility and reach more customers.
• Get access to mentoring sessions from industry experts through the event.

This is a great opportunity for small and growing businesses to get some serious attention, advice from industry professionals, as well as network with a buzzing array of retail insiders and peers. Portas and her team will personally review applications to select 15 exceptional businesses per location who are making a real difference to their communities and redefining retail.

What the Thrive Street team is looking for in successful applicants:

• You’re growing: Your business is turning over more than £150,000 and continuing to build momentum.
• You think differently: Whether it’s a product, service or how you run things day-to-day, you have a forward-thinking way of doing business.
• You have ambition: You’ve got big goals and a clear vision for the future.
• You’re making a difference: From supporting your local community to making sustainable choices, your business is creating positive change.

Both Worldpay and Mastercard are committed to helping, empowering and nurturing small businesses through tools, resources and unique opportunities like Thrive Street. These dynamic enterprises constitute more than 99% of the UK’s 5.5 million private enterprises.

Chris Wood, general manager, SMB International at Worldpay said: “The UK has a rich heritage of entrepreneurism and ingenuity. We are proud to support Thrive Street 2025 alongside Mastercard and Mary Portas, offering an opportunity for innovative independent businesses to redefine the retail landscape and showcase their unique offerings.”

Submit your application using this link. Applications will be reviewed as they come in, so get applying today!

Applications close on Sept. 4, 2025.

• Find out more about how Worldpay can support small businesses.