Post-covid shopping trends push independents to Harrogate pop-up

Three independent businesses have come together to rent a pop-up in Harrogate for two weeks.

The three owners started their ventures over the past three years but said, with the move towards online shopping, opening a permanent shop individually was unviable.

They said high rents, long-term contracts and the need to constantly stock a shop, meant craft fairs and pop-up shops suit their businesses better.

Jane Gales, of Jane Gales Design, Julia Gabler, who owns 2 Little Mice and Rachel Locke, of R.Locke Designs, said they felt town centres would prosper with independents if more spaces like the Harrogate pop-up shop opened.

Ms Gabler said:

“I had looked into a shop, yes, but with the overheads and the fact I would have to make all my products whilst serving in a shop it doesn’t work for a lot of businesses like ours.

“Also, some places I looked into wanted me to sign a five-year contract and I just can’t commit to that. It’s important for me to stay fresh and not saturate the market.”

The three businesses have shared the shop space.

The current retail climate, post-covid, has been a challenge for some of these businesses. Ms Gabler said her online orders flourished but Ms Gales said being un-eligible for a government grant made it difficult.

Ms Gales said:

“It wasn’t great for me, I’d only started the previous year so I didn’t have a website. As a new business there was no government grant available. It was really, really hard. I had a private commission that luckily for me saved my business.

“I think small businesses especially will look for more pop-ups as it gives you the visibility without worrying about the big overheads.”

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Rachel Locke said:

“After lockdown sales went down again, but then getting back out there to markets again exposed me to new customers. But for me social media.”

The three businesses will be in the Harrogate pop-up shop until the end of next week.

Barker Proudlove and Victoria Shopping Centre came up with the idea to rent out the outlet opposite Cafe Nero back in August.

Businesses can rent the space for between one and six weeks and the £400 weekly cost includes rent, business rates, water, electricity and furniture.