Four indie retailers mark anniversaries and Utility completes flagship store move
Four celebrations collectively clocking up 119 years, a shop move and a store sale is all positive news as independent greetings retailers show they’re still at the heart of the High Street across the country.
Utility has completed the relocation of its flagship store in Liverpool One following a short pop-up shop in the scheme over the summer, and showcases the four-strong design-led greeting card and gift retailer’s new brand identity.
“We were in our previous Liverpool One store for 13 years,” said Utility director Richard Skelton. “It was in need of refurbishment so this move to a better location afforded us the time to execute this and refine the interior and design to our own specification.
“We’re delighted with the result and the first few days of trade have far exceeded our expectations,” and he said the move is a template for new openings following the unveiling of Utility in Altrincham in early September, the fourth store for the business established in 1999.
Down south in Stevenage, Cardies’ owner Jo Sorrell beat that with a 35th anniversary for the store known for its Ponks rescue Labrador team of meeters and greeters on Tuesday, 1 November – “It’s still pink, and we still love our Labradors,” she laughed.
Over in the next county, Box Of Delights has just marked 33 “fabulous years” in Flitwick according to co-owners and mother and daughter duo Jan Wood and Michelle Ellingham, who thanked customers, staff, and everyone who has supported them since 1990.
“Of course, there have also been the lows,” Michelle added. “A devastating shop fire in October 2004, forcing us to close for almost four months, the global pandemic and the unprecedented times that have followed. Like a phoenix we’ve literally risen from the ashes!
Opening in the same year that Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and Margaret Thatcher had just resigned as prime minister, politics was also the reason Box Of Delights’ home town hit the headlines a couple of months ago when pressure, including an open letter from the town council, finally persuaded local mp Nadine Dorries to give up the previously-safe Tory seat because she’d not been adequately representing the Mid Beds constituency. It was a close call but Labour won the by-election, overturning the Conservative’s 24,000 to take the seat for the first time, although only 40,720 voted.
“Again, it’s been a crazy year and will definitely be another to remember,” Michelle said, “but we thank you all so very, very much for your sheer kindness, love, generosity and continued support, especially for the last 33 monumental years, it’s really been amazing!”
Gill and David Way take the honours on the anniversary front this time though, as they celebrate 46 years as owners of Present Days in Warwick, having opened as a two-room shop before expanding backwards and upwards to fill the Georgian-fronted three-storey building that pre-dates the town’s 1694 great fire.
Gill looks after all the buying and shop and window displays, while David’s in charge of the admin side, and they love the old and wonky building with its nooks and crannies, and odd little corners, beams and spiders – which don’t come out during the day.
Revealing some archive pictures, the couple thanked all their staff “past and present who have helped keep us going for so long – lots of fabulous memories and a few nightmares too!”
Maybugs may be a mere stripling at just five years old, but co-owners Greg Rose and John Dale have already opened three shops in Hailsham, Eastbourne and Bexhill-On-Sea, been involved in a number of community activities including a free parking campaign last Christmas which benefited other retailers, and recently opened an in-store artisan market as a permanent fixture.
They have also been named as one of the UK’s 100 most impressive small firms with the greetings and gift retailer’s appearance in this year’s SmallBiz100, annual 100-day countdown to Small Business Saturday on the first weekend in December, and were one of the High Street Heroes in the Small Awards sponsored by TSB earlier in the year – and have been Retas finalists as well as winning a 2023 Greats Award.
“We had an amazing evening out with our team celebrating five fabulous years of Maybugs,” Greg and John said. “Wow! We now have three successful shops, thank you to all our lovely customers, without you none of this would be possible! We really do appreciate your custom and loyalty.
“To all our lovely staff, thank you for all your hard work What a five years it’s been – here’s to the next five.”
If all the stories about indie retailers are firing your imagination, there’s a successful business for sale in Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn, where Cardigan Properties is selling The Giftorium which is part of owner David’s three-bedroom detached house overlooking the River Teifi.
David has run the shop for the past five years and renovated the house too, which is for sale at £365,000 plus extra for the business as a going concern.
“I’m hoping to move nearer to family,” he said, “so have decided to put the house on the market. It’s sad news but thank you all for the last five years!”
