A quirky Leeds gift shop owner called “insane” for opening his business, now admits that he’s “scared” about Christmas sales as energy bills continue to rise and buying treats may become less of a priority for people struggling.
Matthew Chalk, 43, owns Indie Makers in Leeds Corn Exchange with his partner Yvonne Blenkinsop, 37. Business has been going well, as they strive to sell art, sculptures and other quirky curiosities from homegrown Leeds artists.
Matthew said: “Our business has been going up and up and also the bills are going up, but we’ve kind of offset that. It’s a different landscape now.
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"I think what’s scary is what’s to come with the energy prices. Christmas this year could be a completely different story from Christmas last year but we’re trying not to think about it, really.”
He feels his business may overcome the cost of living crisis due its “budget” products on offer. The couple’s business ethos is to support local talent and was conceived while they were working at craft fairs, selling homemade candles.
The 43-year-old said: “We kind of go for affordable art and affordable treats. So, there’s a lot of shops selling original artwork for £300 or £400 but we’re selling little things that people can treat themselves with.
“It’s sort of what’s happened with the candles, during lockdown all of our craft customers piled online. A £10 candle is just a nice sort of treat and a bit of escapism from everything else bad that’s going on. I think we’re going to be okay but obviously you can’t predict the future.”
Matthew and Yvonne, who are from London and Liverpool respectively, fell in love with Leeds since opening their city-centre shop in June last year. They chose Leeds after initial plans to open a shop in York fell through, it was deemed too expensive to open a shop there. The couple met in York while working for John Lewis, and have many years of experience working in retail.
The London man says the shop has become a "cultural destination" for young Leeds residents and students who like to pick up an unconventional bargain. Despite this, it didn’t stop Matthew’s “entire family” from calling them “insane” for starting the business in such an uncertain time while the high street is “plunging”.
Matthew said: “My entire family was telling me in no uncertain terms, ‘don’t do this – it’s insane!’ But it just gave me more drive to make it work. We always had a vision. If you always have a vision of where you want the shop or business to be, you can make it work.”
The couple’s vision hasn’t been fully realised yet, with plans of expansion and working with artists from other Northern cities in mind. Matthew has recently launched a website in a bid to battle pressures on the high street and fierce competition from sites like Etsy.
Matthew applauds Etsy however, as the website gave him and many artists their initial outlet to sell their products. He added: “We need to utilise online as the high street is plunging and we’d have been mad if we don’t.”
Indie Makers' next craft fair featuring local artists will be hosted in the basement of Leeds Corn Exchange on the weekend of October 8 and 9.
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