Love Local Business: Worcester's independent traders find success

This week, the team tell the story of two success stories from the city’s courtyard shopping area, The Hopmarket, and that of a yarn shop in Lowesmoor.

Based on The Foregate, The Hopmarket is home to an eclectic mix of small independent businesses such as cafes, hairdressers and barbers, beauty salons, tattooists, florists and shops selling furniture, homeware, knitting wool, leather goods, engraved items, dance wear and special gifts.

Whilst Covid has had a devastating impact on many businesses, it has been a time when some businesses started up and others have expanded.

No 13 Emporium

In September of this year, No 13 Emporium (formerly Make n Mend at Unit 1 in The Hopmarket) moved to a new and larger premises.

Providing sewing services, upholstery, industrial lighting, recycled furniture as well as vintage and retro goods, owner Caroline Wickham said: “We were thrilled to announce the opening of our new store. We had grown out of our former premises and were delighted when a bigger unit became available. It also gave us the opportunity to rebrand as our services have grown.”

Make n Mend originally opened its doors in The Hopmarket in July 2018. Prior to this, Caroline worked from home for 10 years but as her reputation and workload increased she needed more space and her offering grew to include sewing services, upholstery, home furnishings, craft classes including sewing and chalk, as well as shabby chic furnishings and gifts.

Caroline continued: “We are so proud of our team at No 13 Emporium in achieving such an important milestone. It is testimony to our commitment and drive that we have not only developed a robust business but have continued to grow during such challenging times.”

Caroline’s plans for the future include delivering craft classes to include decoupage, painted furniture, upholstery and sewing. She also hopes to expand the shop to offer home furnishings such as cushions and blinds. The new premises also has two rooms for hire with the aim being to rent them out to local crafts people for classes and meetings.

For further information please call 01905 942067, email no.13emporium@xln.co.uk, visit the website at www.no13emporium.co.uk or follow on Facebook at @no.13emporiumworcester.

Aesthetics by Sian

In February of this year, Sian Robinson was handed the keys to her new unit at Unit 1 The Hopmarket; excited about the March opening of her new business, Aesthetics by Sian, nobody could have predicted the colossal impact about to hit the business community.

Sian explained: “Like so many business up and down the country, I simply could not believe the timing. I was two weeks away from opening when the country went into lockdown on March 23, completely changing all my plans for my new business.”

The salon – which reopened in August - provides dermal filler treatments for the lips, cheeks, nose, jaw and chin as well as liquid rhinoplasty, fat dissolving injections and body contouring such as Brazilian booty lifts, tummy sculpting and cellulite reduction. Sian – who is both an NMC Registered Mental Health Nurse and an Aesthetics Nurse, fully qualified and insured – also offers medical grade chemical peels and a medical grade envy medical dermalinfusion treatment.

During lockdown, Sian put her skills to good use, working on the front line for the NHS as a Crisis Mental Health Nurse for children aged up to 18.

Sian concluded: “I am so pleased to be up and running and although it has been more than challenging to launch a business during a global pandemic, I am both heartened and comforted by people’s kindness and support.

“I am offering promotions on various treatments and please do contact me for further details. I hope people will support local independent businesses like mine and help them reach their goals and rebuild local economies.”

To contact Sian please email aestheticsbysian@hotmail.com, visit www.aestheticsbysiand.co.uk, Facebook @Aestheticsbysian and Instagram Aestheticsbysian.

Please note, the majority of the businesses in The Hopmarket are now closed due to the current lockdown restrictions. Please follow on Facebook @WorcHopmarket for regular updates and details of businesses offering home delivery and click and collect.

Crafting could prove a lifeline for many people this winter – it’s an engaging way to create something unique while we all spend more time at home.

Kirsty Broadbent, owner of Wotahoot independent yarn shop in Lowesmoor, Worcester, welcomes you to her business.

“Wotahoot is all about people who love to craft. Our shop sells many types of threads and patterns for knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, sewing, macrame, rag rugging and much more.

"Along with many other businesses, the shop stood empty for many months while Covid rampaged through cities. When we were able to open, it was clear that we couldn’t carry on as before.

"One family at a time can now come in to the shop; we have installed laminated screens to help keep everyone safe. Before the onset of the pandemic we opened a little tea room at the rear of the shop where people could meet to ‘knit and natter’ or groups could learn new skills in workshops. That is currently on hold.

"All of our yarns and patterns are now available online at www.wotahoot.co.uk. We sell a wide range of crafting kits; they make ideal Christmas presents and are a perfect activity to do at home during this unprecedented winter. Unfortunately, the lockdown meant we could not hold our big sale that was planned for Saturday November 14. However please do check our website for updates.

"If you want to save our shop, please buy your yarn from us. If you are unable to visit the shop in person, we can deliver to you."

Visit Worcester and Worcester BID are headline sponsors of the Worcester News’ Love Local Business campaign, along with Worcester City Council. Other supporting partners include Crowngate Shopping Centre and the University of Worcester. To get involved, contact Dale Godliman on 01905 742372 or dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.