A POP-UP shop in Poole High Street has turned the world upside down.

Students at Arts University Bournemouth have painted the walls white and drawn furniture the wrong way up on them.

There have been more than 50 different uses for the town centre shop since Borough of Poole, in partnership with Bournemouth Churches Housing Association, opened it on September 13 last year.

“Initially 120 students from visual communication and graphic design were given the brief to come up with a theme and an identity for the pop-up shop,” said Alice Stevens, senior lecturer.

“All the students worked in teams and produced an impressive studio exhibition of their ideas and concepts. From this, the concept of Upside Down was selected and the team of eight designers were asked to develop the project further.”

Other students helped develop the theme, created merchandise and promotional material for the shop including the making of a short film.

Borough of Poole council leader, Cllr Elaine Atkinson said the shop had been used by charities, small businesses, social enterprises and start-up businesses, all helped by not having to pay a lease, rates or staff.

Tenants have included the Wheelie Great Bike Store, Sign It, Chestnut Nursery Fresh Talent and Dorset Scrap Store. There have been art classes and demonstrations of how to use a loom and the next tenant will be Explorer, demonstrating science.

“The Pop-up was considered a great way to bring people to that end of the High Street,” she said.

“We believe, fingers crossed, we have managed to do a fantastic deal on the shop for another six months. We will be inviting lots of other people to come in,” she said.