Bazars.io Trade Infrastructure Initiative
We work with forward-thinking local authorities to transform underperforming retail and commercial assets into international trade infrastructure — creating jobs, generating business rates, and attracting global investment at zero capital cost to the council.
UK high street vacancy rates reached 16.1% in 2024, with secondary and tertiary town centres experiencing rates above 25%. Local authorities bear the cost: lost business rates, increased maintenance liabilities, reduced civic pride, and declining footfall affecting surrounding businesses.
Government response — including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (£900M, 2025-26), Local Regeneration Fund, and Pride in Place programme (£20M per selected town) — provides significant capital for local authorities who can demonstrate innovative approaches to asset revitalisation.
The Bazars Trade Hub model is designed to align directly with these funding streams.
Bazars.io identifies and qualifies international manufacturers — from China, Turkey, Vietnam, India, Poland, and other manufacturing economies — who seek direct access to UK markets.
These manufacturers are onboarded into a dedicated trade hub: a single large-format property housing 300+ individual showroom units. Each manufacturer operates as a UK-registered company with full compliance, banking, and trade infrastructure provided through the Bazars platform.
The local authority's role: provide access to a suitable asset (vacant retail, commercial, or industrial property) and local government support (planning, business rates relief, regeneration funding alignment). Bazars handles everything else — manufacturer recruitment, fit-out, operations, and ongoing management.
| Metric | Impact |
|---|---|
| Direct jobs created | 350+ |
| Business rates generated | £450,000+ per annum |
| International businesses established | 300+ UK-registered companies |
| Annual trade volume through hub | £150M+ projected (Year 1) |
| Capital required from council | £0 |
| Government funding alignment | UKSPF, Local Regeneration Fund, Pride in Place |
Bazars.io is currently evaluating locations across the UK for its first trade hub. The selection is based on:
Asset availability — Suitable properties of 100,000+ sqft with vacant or underutilised space.
Local authority engagement — Councils willing to provide active support including planning facilitation, business rates relief, and regeneration funding alignment.
Geographic positioning — Proximity to major transport links, ports, and urban centres.
Political alignment — Local leadership committed to international trade and economic diversification.
The first UK location will be announced Q3 2026. Multiple local authorities are currently in discussion.
International Chamber Partners
To receive a confidential programme briefing, contact the Bazars.io local government engagement team:
Briefings are available in-person or via video call and can be arranged at short notice.