Banksy opens pop-up shop in Croydon, England (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)
Cover Banksy opens pop-up shop in Croydon, England (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

The anonymous artist will sell “impractical and offensive” merchandise in South London.

Gross Domestic Product, the Banksy shop which popped up overnight in Croydon, South London, will be packed with all kinds of quirky items⁠—but the real catch is that it will never actually open its doors to the public.

The motive behind the whole thing? To keep counterfeit Banksy goods at bay. “A greetings card company is contesting the trademark I hold to my art,” the anonymous artist said in a statement. “And attempting to take custody of my name so they can sell their fake Banksy merchandise legally.”

What this essentially means is if the artist doesn’t actually make his own merchandise, it can be legally reproduced and sold by anyone. Mark Stephens, Banksy’s lawyer and the founder of the Designs and Artists Copyright Society explains to Robb Report: “Because he doesn’t produce his own range of shoddy merchandise and the law is quite clear—if the trademark holder is not using the mark, then it can be transferred to someone who will."

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Banksy opens pop-up shop in Croydon, England (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)
Above Banksy opens pop-up shop in Croydon, England (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

The installation consists of a series of shop window displays beneath a fitness centre near East Croydon station. The windows contain numerous works of art created by Banksy, including various pieces that showcase his politically charged humour, like the stab vest worn by Stormzy during his Glastonbury set.

“GDP is the homewares brand from Banksy and this is our first and only store," Banksy said on Instagram. “The showroom is for display purposes only and the doors will not open. All sales will be conducted online when the website opens soon.”

Although consumers won’t be able to buy anything in the store, if you’re set on picking up your own piece of Banksy artwork, merchandise on display will be available online for a span of two weeks.