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14
Dec 2024
'It's hard running a shop in Harrogate,' says owner preparing to close
A shop is to close in Harrogate’s Victoria Shopping Centre after five months of trading.
Chaos sells an eclectic mix of custom clothing, handmade gifts and gothic collectables.
The business is owned by Harrogate woman Miriam Ruddy, who runs the shop singlehandedly.
She first opened an online business, Miriam’s Garden, in 2019, Chaos. Her first physical store, opened in July.
The shop offers gifts from earrings and posters to ouija boards and werewolf scent burners.
Ms Ruddy told the Stray Ferret the shop will close on December 27 and move to an online-only presence.
She said:
The reason I’m closing the shop is because I’m just breaking even. I’m just paying to be here and need cheaper rent.
I’m looking to go back online, and I have made the call now because it’s not a good idea to be going into debt just to keep a shop.
I’m making around £300 a month after paying £1,382 rent and council tax, and after stock and hidden costs that’s not a lot.
Chaos in the Victoria Shopping Centre
Ms Ruddy hopes to move back into a bricks-and-mortar store in the future but is currently holding a 15% off closing-down sale to limit the stock she has to list online.
She said:
With the cost-of-living crisis, times are hard for everyone and everyone would do well if rent was cheaper. It would be amazing for the town if that could happen, but no one wants to put it into practice.
It is hard getting footfall into the centre, and it feels like slowly everyone is leaving. The centre is the heart of Harrogate and lots of shops don’t get support.
She suggested trying to combat rising rent by having a space to hold sellers' markets, joint spaces or a designated area with cheaper rates.
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Ms Ruddy added that she has “absolutely loved” her time in the Victoria Shopping Centre and it has been good to develop her business and boost visibility.
She said:
Everyone struggles with visibility, and it has been great for passing trade. People have loved my products, and I have developed best sellers.
Knowing people like what I’m selling keeps me going and I’m not going to give up on my business.
I am going to miss having people to talk to and the regulars that come in, and the staff at the Victoria Centre are lovely.
Items for sale in Chaos
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