Independent Thinking - Exploring a new era for retail and the high street

Today I’m very pleased to be joined by Sarah from Pencil Me In - a stationery shop based in Elgin. Passionate about showcasing work from the finest UK designers, illustrators and makers, we chat to Sarah about how she curates her offer, her reflections on the UK high street and why she was inspired to start #MyShopLife back in 2017 - an Instagram challenge to unite and celebrate the small shopkeeper community.

It was so nice to chat to someone so passionate and experienced in retail, we had a good old blether about what’s working and what’s not - lots of fun, so hope you enjoy! 

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Today I’m delighted to be joined by Kate Maxwell, from Curate. Glasgow.

Curate. Glasgow is an online platform to discover new independent makers, creatives and retailers. Born out of Kate’s love for independent retail, as a way to celebrate Glasgow’s creatives and their work - the website acts as a directory of cool and interesting businesses offering something different from the larger chain stores. We chat to Kate about how creating the platform helped her get to know her new city, why she loves independent shops and why there’s nothing like shopping in person.

Curate.Glasgow:  https://curateglasgow.com/ 

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Today our guest is Scott MacKay,  Project Manager of Midsteeple Quarter.  A Community Benefit Society set up and run by the people of Dumfries, Midsteeple Quarter has a bold vision to shape a new future for their town centre - by bringing 8 underused buildings in and around their high street back into community control. It’s a fascinating project that will no doubt inspire communities up and down the country to do that same - to revive and reinvigorate their town centre.

If you've been inspired to be a part of Midsteeple Quarter's movement,  you can donate to help the community buy back their high street here:  https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/reclaim-the-high-street 

Find out more about the project here: https://www.midsteeplequarter.org/

Covid 19: In the episode, Scott mentions how people had travelled into Dumfries from other parts of the country, whilst travel restrictions to control the spread of Covid 19 were in place. For up to date information on the latest travel restrictions and how you can keep safe and stop the spread, please refer to the Scottish Government website: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

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This week, in our final full episode of the series, to add a touch of joy -I give you the second of our Christmas episodes, as we speak to Style Your Spaces. 

Style Your Spaces is a creative floristry and styling company - who specialise in installations for retail, styling for photo shoots, weddings and events. However, like so many others working in the events industry, they had the rug pulled out from underneath them when lockdown hit in March. We talk to founder, Katie about how they pivoted to retail, the spirit of creativity and connection in Edinburgh both in floristry and in small business, and how running a shop has meant constantly learning on the job…

Independent businesses mentioned in the episode:

Style Your Spaces: https://www.styleyourspaces.co.uk/

Elliott’s (Food and Lifestyle Store): https://elliottsedinburgh.com/

Travelling Basket (Lifestyle store and Coffee bar): https://www.travellingbasket.co.uk

Treen (Vegan clothing store): https://shoptreen.com/

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In a festive special, I’m delighted to be joined this week by Rory Mellis from Mellis Cheesemongers. 

Mellis has a special place in so many foodie's hearts across Scotland, particularly at this time of year, when joining the queue outside one of their branches to choose what cheese will finish off the Christmas meal, has become, for many, synonymous with the beginning of their festive season. 

They’ve been providing artisan cheese to customers for over 25 years, so have gone through so much in business, but it’s fair to say this year has been like no other. I talk to Rory about how they’ve adapted and changed up how they work, the importance of connection to their customers, and what difference a mere couple of miles within a city can have on people’s tastes…

Independent Businesses mentioned in the episode: 

I.J.Mellis Cheesemongers: https://mellischeese.net/       Instagram: @mellischeeseltd

Bramble (Mothership - Drinks and Bars): https://mothershipscotland.com/ 

The Little Chartroom (Restaurant): https://www.thelittlechartroom.com/ 

Bross Bagels (Bagel bakery and takeaway): https://www.brossbagels.com/ 

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This week we return to St Stephen Street, to stop by number 17 - and to Space at Seventeen. We speak to founder, Jess about bringing an idea to life, the role of pop up spaces on our local high streets and why they’re so proud to play a part in other people’s small business stories. 

Jess has such an inspiring approach, with a charming story of how the space came about - and her warmth for the local business community and the small businesses they've hosted totally shines through - enjoy! 

Independent businesses mentioned in the episode: 

Space at Seventeen (Private Hire Concept/Pop Up Shop): https://www.instagram.com/spaceatseventeen/?hl=en 

Style Your Spaces (Floristry): https://styleyourspaces.co.uk/ 

Meraki Concept Studio (Design): https://www.merakiconceptstudio.com/ 

Our Lovely Goods (Candles and lifestyle): https://ourlovelygoods.com/ 

Treen (Clothing): https://shoptreen.com/ 

Meander (Clothing): https://meanderapparel.com/ 

Aetla (Jewellery): https://www.aetla.co.uk/ 

Splintr (Shop fitting and Design): https://www.splintr.co.uk/ 

The Little Chartroom (Restaurant): https://www.thelittlechartroom.com/ 

Spry (Wine bar and wine merchants): https://www.sprywines.co.uk/ 

Smith and Gertrude (Wine bar and wine merchants): https://www.smithandgertrude.com/ 

Bell’s Diner (Restaurant): http://www.bellsdineredinburgh.com/ 

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In today’s episode, we continue our St Stephen Street Series with Lovecrumbs, or Mini Lovecrumbs as their shop at number 22 is known. Mini Lovecrumbs offers a cosy nook on the street to escape into a large slice of cake and a cracking cup of coffee.

We chat to founder Hollie, about their story so far, the importance of coffee shops in a community, and about how resilient she’s been in overcoming the many challenges that 2020 continues to throw at small business. 

Hollie mentions an incredible array of local businesses in the episode:

Artisan Roast (Coffee Roasters/Coffee Shops): https://www.artisanroast.co.uk/

Herman Brown (Vintage Clothing): https://hermanbrown.co.uk/

Company Bakery: https://www.companybakery.com/ 

Smith and Gertrude (Wine Bar and Wine merchants): https://www.smithandgertrude.com/ 

Edinburgh Food Studio (Restaurant): http://www.edinburghfoodstudio.com/

Nice Times Bakery: http://nicetimesbakery.com/

Mary’s Milk Bar (Ice cream Parlour): https://www.marysmilkbar.com/

Century General Store (Cafe/Events space and Lifestyle): https://www.centurygeneralstore.com/ 

The Atlas Works (Glassware): https://the-atlas-works.com/ 

Steph Liddle Ceramics (Ceramics): https://www.stephliddle.com/

Golden Hare Books (Bookshop): https://goldenharebooks.com/ 

The Method (Lifestyle/Treatment Space): https://themethodonline.com/ 

Treen (Clothing and Lifestyle): https://shoptreen.com/ 

Bon Tot (Childrenswear and Lifestyle): https://www.bon-tot.com/ 

Pyrus (Florist): https://pyrusbotanicals.com/ 

Stag Barber Co (Hairdressing): https://stagbarberco.com/ 

Timberyard (Restaurant): https://www.timberyard.co/

Lily West (Florist): https://lilywestflorist.co.uk/

The Free Company (Supper Clubs and Food boxes): https://www.the-free-company.com/ 

Iain Mellis (Cheese Shop): https://mellischeese.net/

Mothership (Drinks to order and Bars): https://mothershipscotland.com/ 

Noto (Restaurant): https://notoedinburgh.co.uk/ 

Aizle (Restaurant): https://www.aizle.co.uk/ 

The Little Chartroom (Restaurant): https://www.thelittlechartroom.com/

Homer (Homewares and lifestyle): https://www.athomer.co.uk/homer-edinburgh

Bennett’s and The Blue Blazer (Pubs): https://kilderkingroup.co.uk/ 

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In this week’s episode of our St Stephen Street Series, we welcome Golden Hare Books, who reside at number 68 - an independent bookshop established in 2012. I talked to bookseller David about how the shop has evolved since the business began, how independent bookshops are bucking the trend when it comes to retail, and how they have seen the effects of lockdown reflected in their sales, and in their customers’  taste in books...

Independent Businesses mentioned in the episode:

Golden Hare Books (Bookshop):https://goldenharebooks.com/ 

Lovecrumbs (Bakery) http://lovecrumbs.co.uk/ and Mini Lovecrumbs: https://www.instagram.com/minilovecrumbs/?hl=en 

Lighthouse Books (Bookshop): https://lighthousebookshop.com/ 

The Portobello Bookshop (Bookshop): https://theportobellobookshop.com/ 

Smith and Gertrude (Wine merchants and wine bar) https://www.smithandgertrude.com/

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As we continue our St Stephen Street Series, I’m delighted to be joined by vegan fashion retailer, Treen. 

We talk to owner, Cat about her incredible approach to this extraordinary year, her drive for the business and why she loves to go above and beyond for her customers. Cat has an infectious energy and passion for her business, and talks with such warmth and enthusiasm about the community she's created - this episode is another one that's perfect for starting your week on the right foot. Enjoy.

Independent Businesses mentioned in the episode: 

• Treen: (Vegan fashion retailer): https://shoptreen.com/
• Grams: (Vegan Cafe and Meal Prep)  https://www.gramsedinburgh.com/ 
• Meraki Concept Studio: (Branding Consultancy) https://www.merakiconceptstudio.com/
• Custom Lane: (Studio/Exhibition Space/Community) https://customlane.co/
• Plant Bae: (Plant-based cafe) https://www.heyplantbae.co.uk
• Century General Store: (Lifestyle store/Cafe) https://www.centurygeneralstore.com/
• Our Lovely Goods: (Candle makers/Lifestyle and workshops): https://ourlovelygoods.com/
• Space at Seventeen (Pop Up Space): https://www.instagram.com/spaceatseventeen/
• Bon Tot: (Childrenswear & Sustainable Lifestyle) https://www.bon-tot.com/

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In the first of our St Stephen Street Series, we welcome Bon Tot. Established in 2014, Bon Tot is a modern kids store. Whilst primarily known as a childrensware shop, they stock a growing range of sustainable lifestyle products and have this year upped their eco credentials even further by launching a buy back scheme, Bon Voyage. 

We talked to the shop's wonderful founder, Kristina, about her idea for the business, how they’ve evolved during the 6 years they've been open, why they’ve decided to change things up and why authenticity is at the core of everything they do.

Independent Businesses mentioned in the episode: 

• Lovecrumbs (Bakery/Coffee Shop/Provisions): http://lovecrumbs.co.uk/
• Civerino's (Pizza): http://www.civerinos.com/
• Treen (Clothing and lifestyle): https://shoptreen.com/
• Mothership (Bars and drinks brand): https://mothershipscotland.com/
• Smith & Gertrude (wine shop/wine bar): https://www.smithandgertrude.com/
• Kestin Hare (Clothing and lifestyle): https://www.kestin.co/
• Catalog (Homewares and lighting): https://www.cataloginteriors.com/
• Century General Store (Coffee shop and lifestyle): https://www.centurygeneralstore.com/

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