Oxford Etsy have opened a pop-up shop in Bury Street, Abingdon today. The new shop will be open from 10am – 5.30pm six days a week (closed on Mondays) from 4 November to 17 December.
This is part of the Independent Shops Project – an initiative where the VWHDC have enlisted the help of Iain Nicholson, a town centre specialist. The scheme helps small businesses to fill empty units in the town by creating pop-up shops and also allows retailers to ‘test the waters’ before committing to a permanent location in the town.
Oxford Etsy sell locally handmade items: jewellery, art, prints, candles, greetings cards, children’s clothing, furniture, bags, accessories and home decorations.
Christina O’Hare, who runs her own business, Christina Made It, has co-ordinated the Etsy team and said, “I soon realised there was a high demand for a retail outlet.”
She added, “I contacted Iain who helped me enormously by explaining the process and putting us in contact with the landlords.”
Follow the teams progress on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/oxfordetsyteam.
A crafty weekend in Abingdon with the Traditional Craft Fair on in the Abbey Buildings till 4.30 on Sunday – lots of really high quality goods – and demonstrations to watch.
A pop up shop and three day craft fair is not the answer to Abingdons problems, I drove into town yesterday afternoon but found all the parking that was once two hour Paring is now given over to residents parking, so I drove to the Abbey house parking only to find it full, as was the multi story too, so I drove home !
I wish them every success I like the idea of pop up shops rather than just an empty building..
Pop up shops may not be “the answer”, but they do give retailers a chance to test the water; and if the parking was all occupied, it presumably meant that the town was busy.
We initially visited the Craft Fair on Saturday but didn’t go in as the entrance fee was too high, £6 each. I realise this is in support of maintaining the old buildings and included ‘have a go’ but all we wanted (& expected) was to be able to browse with a view to buying something nice for Christmas…We heard a few walk away because of this fee.
I popped in to the pop up today quickly over lunch – the stock looks perfect for Christmas presents and I shall be returning over the weekend for a better look.
Good luck to the new pop up business. And it doesn’t cost £6 to go in to look/spend more money.