º£½ÇÊÓƵ

New retail space is set to be launched with the aim of showcasing Birmingham's up-and-coming small businesses.

Independent café Grounded is opening dedicated areas called Collected in its two venues - in St Paul's Square, Jewellery Quarter, and in Bournbrook Road, Selly Oak.

The sites will offer local creators a three-month window to showcase and sell their work and is expected to appeal to producers of homewares, fashion and art.

The Grounded cafés are run by Birmingham-based mental health charity Living Well º£½ÇÊÓƵ and two per cent of all profits from the Collected initiative will go back into mental health services.

Potential occupiers are now being invited to pitch to take the space.

Grounded is also planning a brand new, standalone retail space in Kings Heath although the location and launch date for that have not yet been announced.

Living Well º£½ÇÊÓƵ chief executive Ben Howells said: "With Collected, we're taking the next step in what conscious retail can look like.

"It's about creating a supportive space where small businesses can grow and where every purchase contributes to something deeply meaningful.

"After seeing how Grounded brought people together over coffee, we knew it was time for our next step."

The Grounded project is a partnership between Living Well º£½ÇÊÓƵ and NHS England.

It also has a wellbeing and mental health hub in the Hall Green area of Birmingham alongside its St Paul's and Selly Oak cafés which also have space for workshops and access to services.