We were very sad to announce last week, that our Leeds store will be closing on Saturday 15th April. What started as a 3-month pop-up taking over an empty shop within Trinity Leeds for Christmas, turned into an incredible 18-month-long stint! It truly is the end of an era and we are so grateful for the opportunity.
We are so proud to have been able to create a shop with real soul and a brand new experience for Leeds' high street, within this major shopping centre. This shop has been the origin of so many small businesses being discovered and tons of lessons learnt for us as a business. The time has allowed us to trial, test and take on so many new ways of working.
Where we started
After an amazing revamp and shop fit by Tom and Peter, we launched our Pop-Up shop in Leeds on Saturday 9th October 2021. At this time, this was our second venture in opening up our very own space with our own name above the door, instead of popping up in someone else's as a concession. The first being in Meadowhall earlier that year in August 2021. Our small team (only 4 full-timers at this point) successfully turned a blank canvas shop into a beautiful Aladdins cave of locally made, totally unique treasures.
We had Myro Doodles come along to design the window and photographer Kate, to capture the brand-new shop and even had a little launch party inviting makers and customers to celebrate the opening. It was a great way to kick-start what was going to be a very busy Christmas and a rapid increase of mileage on Tom’s van… setting up four markets across the country within John Lewis stores and a Pop-Up in Next in Manchester for that Christmas!
Our highlights
Our time in Leeds has allowed us to learn, develop and grow the business in so many ways that we didn’t even know was possible. Trading as a long-term pop-up was a brand new ball game and presented incredible opportunities for so many businesses, as well as CM as a brand too. Here’s just a little highlight of what we were able to achieve:
Where we are now
Despite the sadness of a big chapter coming to an end, it’s not over yet! With the shop closing in April, we can still trade over Easter and keep supporting over 50 small businesses during a prime time before the summer. Let's end on a high...come and shop small with us, top up on cards, purchase those Birthday gifts and treat yo'self!
To compare us to where we started, we have come away older and wiser. Long-term Pop-Ups have filled gaps in our skill sets and the freedom of our own space cannot be taken for granted. The shop has introduced us to 102 makers and even more through our regular markets. Working alongside Trinity Leeds and getting involved with local campaigns has been a brilliant experience.
We are proud that Leeds has allowed us to prove our concept and show just what the high street is missing. The shop has led us to big opportunities since we opened - hello Battersea Power Station - and has seen our HQ team grow too! So although we are sad to be saying goodbye to Leeds right now, we are focusing on the silver linings and who knows, we could return one day! Never say never.
On the 19th of April, we will be packing up the shop and getting to work on new projects. We love our job of giving so many small businesses a chance to be seen and shopped. Watch this space as we set our targets on new locations, new makers and new opportunities!
Trinity Leeds
Opening times
Monday - Saturday 9:00 - 20:00
Sunday 11:00 - 17:00
CLOSING SATURDAY 15th APRIL - Closing drinks from 6 pm onwards, all welcome!
Remember, you can still shop with us at our Meadowhall and Battersea shops!
BATTERSEA POWER STATION, SW11 8BJ
Monday - Thursday 10:00 - 20:00
Friday + Saturday 10:00 - 21:00
Sunday 12:00 - 18:00
MEADOWHALL, S9 1EP
Monday - Friday 10:00 - 21:00
Saturday 9:00 - 20:00
Sunday 11:00 - 17:00
HAPPY SHOPPING!
The Curated Makers Team x
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