A Nation of Shopkeepers

Update: 7th June - I just wanted to stop-by my blog again to thank all who have left messages to this post. I have edited my ramblings as it was brought to my attention that some of my thoughts came across as negative. This was not my intention - I fight for my shop's survival every day - My regular blog posts were testament to that, as I have always found Blogging a great way to advertise my business and to meet wonderful like-minded people.

I want to see our British high streets survive and prosper and will continue to be passionate about the small independent shops that keep our towns unique.

My original post - 6th June am.

This is a continuation of the post I wrote last Saturday. Having now received several emails on the subject, of the difficulties faced by small independent retailers, I wanted to add a follow-up to my sentiments:

Go to an averagely-sized town, or to any city, and you will, no doubt, find a WHSmiths (newsagents), Boots (chemist), Marks & Spencer (clothes and home) and probably several chain/franchise eateries. What you may not encounter are small, interesting independent retailers with something different on offer.

Of course shopping isn't the number one concern for most of us, but with town centres on a general decline, particularly those that have little to offer tourists, it is in my view criminal to lose the capability towns have to bring people from the local community together, and also the general services and the job creation/investment that the average high street should be able to provide.

During a particularly quiet week, last week, I closed my doors briefly to go and chat with Mandy and Zoe, proprietors of WooHoo!, who are just around the corner from my shop.

The girls opened the 70's style retro boutique late last year, taking it on as it was in the final episode of BBC's TV series 'Turn Back Time; The High Street' - the 1970's. Even with this fortuitous link and excellent promotional opportunity, they are finding the current climate difficult and are worried that they may have to close the doors to their dream shop very soon.

Its difficult to understand why, but the general low footfall on Shepton's High Street has its effect -They have some great stock and their prices are extremely enticing. If more people knew they were here, I'm sure they would soon have a long list of happy customers, making regular trips to buy their next season's wardrobe.

Whilst I was there I bought this sweet violet brooch - At just £3, it certainly didn't break the bank.

Shepton needs to become a destination for vintage/antiques, interiors and artisan. I feel a butchers shop for example, would struggle in the town, as they would be unable to compete with the large, out-of-town sized(!) supermarket (whose name begins with 'T'!), which unfortunately is within a stones-throw of the high street.

It is sad to think that the new found excitement and renewed interest in the town by its local residents, generated by the TV series, has already dwindled. The public meetings that were arranged after the filming, generally have led to nothing, so far.

I now strongly believe it will be small business owners and entrepreneurs who will change the town, not the local councils or action groups.

If you happen to be in the area, please pay a visit to WooHoo - They need your support.

In my own little shop, I feel lucky that I opened my doors last year and was able to accumulate some now regular customers who love what I do - To be on the Market Place during the filming last summer, did bring me extra custom and it helped me a lot to get my small business known to some of the local people.

That's not to say it is easy for me, but each day I do my best and get a lot of enjoyment from my shop and its visitors.

Occasionally my mind wanders and I start to imagine having my business in a more touristy area, but know that with that comes higher rents and business rates. (Not to mention business insurance, landlord's service charges, electricity/water bills, advertising etc...etc...)

I was reminded of this when Holly left a comment on Saturday's post. She and her husband recently opened a wonderful vintage shop in Wimbledon. I thought surely things must be better for retail within the London area, but I soon discovered that Nicholas & Steele struggle with low footfall too.

Here is the comment that Holly left on my blog last week:

'Hi Niki
We have a vintage shop in West Wimbledon, London. Please take comfort that you are not alone. We have noticed such a change in people's shopping habits this year. It is as if the tap was just 'turned off' in February.I have blogged about this too. It is soul destroying when you follow a dream and what we do is so incredibly personal it's hard not to take it personally. My husband and I feel at times like we are throwing a party and nobody has bothered to come but all the businesses in our little parade of shops are battling. This is a time for courage and camaraderie.Please hang in there, your shop is beautiful and an inspiration to so many.
Much love, Holly Nicholas-Steele'

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I echo Holly's feelings and am also encouraged by her...I continue to sew every day, to create usable one-of-a-kind items to entice customers to my shop. To reuse old fabrics, buttons and trims feels right to me and at the same time as recycling, I hope that I am creating something genuinely unique for a new owner to enjoy and appreciate.

I am always grateful for the customers through my door - I hope I have always made everyone who comes inside feel welcome. These are tough times, I know not just for retail, but I see battles that can be fort and won.

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I am a big fan of Mary Portas - London's leading retail marketing consultant. She has been challenged by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister to undertake an independent review on the Future of the High Street - To help 'bring back the bustle' to our town centres.

I hope that the government will listen and act on what Mary has to say and won't be influenced by the big supermarket chains and how they feel about her review, as I suspect it will be them who will not like all that she suggests.

If Mary were to visit Shepton Mallet, I would like to think that she would be encouraged by the obvious camaraderie and general positive attitude that many of the small independent shops have for the future of the town.

Shepton Mallet has started to re-brands itself as a destination for quality vintage/antique, interior and artisan shops, so I think it has a viable future. Whilst customers visit these shops, they will also stop-by and use the numerous cafes, visit its charity shops, and those retailers carrying more 'everyday' merchandise, as well as the regular Friday Market, so that all will benefit.

The make-do-and-mend/recycling/repurposing ethos is a great concept to take a town forward with.

This Friday (10th June), the new Somerset Antiques & Interiors shop opens its doors for the first time. The fact that this well known business (previously The Wells Emporium) has chosen to leave Wells and start afresh in Shepton Mallet, is excellent news for the town. I have heard that it has already encouraged other business owners to consider setting up on Shepton's High Street, which is very exciting news. The ball has started to roll and we will soon be running with it.

I'd like to wish 'Somerset Antiques & Interiors' every success in their smart new location.

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I've been writing my blog for almost 5 years and have notched-up over 800 posts on my two blogs combined. I am very grateful to all who visit.

I'm going to take a break for a short while (I'll be back on the 20th!) and concentrate on my business, possibly using my time better to start to re-fill my on-line shop's catalogue. I'll continue to add photos to my other blog of my latest handmade creations, as this is useful to me and my on-line customers as a gallery. (It can be accessed via my website, by clicking the 'gallery' link.)

I hope not to be away too long and I shall be back when the time is right, hopefully with lots of good news about the continued regeneration of Shepton Mallet and the survival of its independent shops.

Niki x

Update: 6th June pm.

I feel a need to reply to the two who left anonymous comments:
Thank you for your comments.
1. I made a profit in my first year of trading in Shepton Mallet and I still am doing so. (Even though I only open 4 days a week.) The only way I am subsidising my dream is in man-hours.
If the town can get more visitors to its High Street, then I shall be more successful. If you were to visit SM, then you would see how low the footfall is, and would understand when I say the only way is up.
2. I am tied into a lease, so need to make it work. I won't be closing my shop's doors for an easy cop-out option.
3. I have sold at fairs, flea markets, on-line etc etc for years. I still attend a few fairs each year alongside my shop, so know the trade from all angles. Fairs are not the answer, as sales in the SW are down at them too.
4. I can't skip back and forth over the channel, as I have family commitments.
5. I DO sell to trade - they come into my shop because they know my prices are reasonable.
6. Handmade is DEFINITELY still my 'thing'. I have been making and selling my rag dolls for MANY years. Interest has not dwindled and they continue to be my best sellers. I sell more of my hand made stock than I do my vintage goods, which is why I spend much of my time sewing and creating. Visit Mary Portas' website and read her views on hand made items. She has a finger on the pulse and definitely does not see handmade treasures as 'not the thing'.
7. The cottage look is still wanted by many visitors to my shop. I regularly sell rustic furniture and gardenalia. One of my most successful friends in the business (with her husband) makes a living from cottage style and has never wavered from it. If you love vintage, you won't be swayed by what's 'in' or 'cool', but will always stick by what you love.
8. I understand my shop is not to everyone's taste. I personally couldn't live in a contemporary home, so will never buy modern goods from the big chains.
Having received a lot of feedback from those who visit my shop, (and who now regularly come back because they like what I do) I know I am doing it right. They love to reminisce about some of the items for sale...'wow factors' aren't what I'm aiming for...I am looking for simple pleasures, such as the happiness of finding a brooch similar to one worn by a grandmother, or a piece that offers a reminder of childhood. Happy memories rekindled.
8. I sold on-line for over 8 years and during that time I became very isolated at home. (I actually find that running a successful website is more work than a physical shop.)
This will mean that having goods for sale on-line, as well as in my shop will be difficult. To juggle everything on my own will be difficult, but I shall do my best.

My blog post was not meant to be downbeat. I am happy doing what I do - I am following my dream and believe in it. If Shepton can now start to regenerate, then we can all be successful in the town. There has been a lot of interest in the empty shops these last couple of months - Probably due to the arrival of the large antiques business that I mentioned is moving in. I think this is the start to the town becoming re-branded as a destination for vintage/antiques/interiors/artisan.

As far as my blog is concerned; Over the past year it has had to become a platform for me to advertise my shop...and it has worked. I realise that if you are unable to visit my shop, then the updates related to it would be of little interest.
I don't have time for my home and garden these days, as the shop has had to become number one, so posts about these would be impossible to write. No one wants to read about me doing the housework on my days off!
I'm sorry that I haven't been able to return comments very often and realise that this means some will give up on me. There's very little I can do about that. Sometimes 'real' life is more important!
Thanks to all who stop by my blog, leave a comment or not, or have been there for me with emails.
I am feeling positive and know that running a shop is the right thing for me at this stage of my life. Its the economy that is against me/us at the moment, and so, given time, things will improve.
I'll be back on-line soon.
Niki x