A shop in Beeston is facing an uncertain future as the building it is based in has been placed up for sale after the landlord passed away earlier this year. Artworks shop and framers has been based in Chilwell Road for the past 12 years and is currently still open.
The shop specialises in art supplies and zero-waste products, but it also runs creative workshops. There is a framing business upstairs in the large shop. The zero waste business has gone from strength to strength in recent years and has expanded to include a refill station.
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There is never a quiet moment in the large shop as customers constantly pop in to pick up pieces or ask for advice on projects they are working on. On seeing the 'for sale' sign above the shop, many customers have expressed sadness that its future may be uncertain.
Manager Frank Noonan, who lives in Long Eaton, is unsure if the business will move, go online or if it will close. The amount of stock and also the size of the location they are currently in will mean that changes will have to be made if it does decide to stay open.
"We've already had a lot of sadness from people but at the end of the day, it's not going to be viable to run it in the size that it is at the moment. We have too many things and a framing workshop upstairs. As things go forward we made a decision to talk to the tutors here to suggest they hire places on the same street," he said.
"We wrote to the students to let them know that classes will be starting again in the church halls of either church on this street or the coffee shop here. So that is one thing sorted which is a good thing."
There are a number of factors that are influencing the potential changes such as an increase in bills due to the energy crisis or cost of living, and a possible increase in rent, but Frank feels it may be a good time to retire.
"Our elderly landlord didn't put the rent up that often so we were paying very low rent for the size of the property that is here. It's below market rate, so with it being sold, it would potentially go to market rate which is not going to be tenable for the business," he shared.
"We couldn't relocate at the moment but the majority of people who view here are talking about developing upstairs into flats or apartments and keeping the shop unit downstairs. The downstairs would be marketed at a rate that is above what we are paying."
He added: "Myself and my wife are 68 and 69 and we could do with retiring so it's something that might be to our advantage. We do have time in our lease but the property is worth more vacant than with tenants who have time in their lease. It seems maybe the right thing to do is to let them buy us out of our lease so we can then change the business in a controlled way. That might mean closing but we don't know yet."
The environmentally friendly, zero waste supply shop has been a huge hit with shoppers in Beeston and was started after Frank's daughter, Jessica Leatherland, suggested it. Shoppers can find everything from shampoo refills to plastic-free bottles.
"Although it might seem an odd thing to have, we used to sell locally made jewellery and things but sales were fluctuating because they were only ever birthday or Christmas presents. We needed something more stable and my daughter suggested why don't we do this and it's the best decision we've ever made," he explained.
"It's grown from its initial space to other areas so it is a good seller. It was a great thing to be involved in."
Frank highlighted that they may consider taking the zero-waste business to markets or move the shop online. For now, the shop remains open in the current location.
