You’ve heard of the flash mob: a group of people mobilise over social media, gather in a predetermined public location, and then participate in an unusual and entertaining performance for a brief period of time. Londoners have seen their fair share of awesome flash mobs (like this 2009 classic at the Liverpool Street Station), but this Thursday, they’re in for something new: the city’s first-ever cash mob.

A cash mob takes place when a group of people arrange to meet at a local shop or store. When they get there, instead of dancing or singing, they spend a predetermined amount of money. Cash mobs are generally organised by people who enjoy the fun, excitement and novelty of a cash mob, or others who are concerned about the plight of local businesses and want to do something to help. In today’s economic climate local shops and businesses need all the help they can get. Organising a cash mob helps by getting spending customers through the door.

The Fenton team is working with Means of Exchange, a UK-based organisation focusing on economic self-sufficiency, to support the August 9th launch of their new initiative Cash Mobbers. Cash Mobbers will help people create and find cash mobs, and provide them with tools to seamlessly push their event out through social media.

The cash mob launch is taking place this Thursday at 1pm at Pages of Hackney, an independent bookshop on the Lower Clapton Road. All are encouraged to participate. Want to help spread the word? Share the tweet: “Join London’s first cash mob @PagesofHackney 1pm 9/Aug. Support London during the Olympics! @CashMobbers #cashmob http://bit.ly/NelO2q.”

For more info on Cash Mobbers, go here.