M&S is establishing a phone charging sharing service designed to allow shoppers to borrow portable units so they can recharge their phones on the move.

Charging company ChargedUp is the first business selected by M&S for its accelerator programme under its joint venture with start-up network Founders Factory. The joint venture is intended to expose M&S to new technologies and business models as part of the business’ digital transformation.

ChargedUp has a network of vending stations across the capital which allow users to rent a portable charger for as long as they want before returning them to any station in the network. The network is powered by renewable energy and has 20,000 active users across 250 stations.

ChargedUp vending stations will be installed next to M&S food-to-go counters in stores in the Pantheon, White City, Bankside, Victoria Cardinal Place, Fenchurch Street and Finsbury Pavement and at two stores at its headquarters.