A shop in Bedminster has given a stark warning on the future of our high streets in Bristol. Independent Design Collective on North Street offered the simple message on its Facebook page of “use us or lose us forever” after reporting a challenging period in the run-up to Christmas.
Owner Chitra Tarling launched the craft-based gift shop back in 2017 to provide a home for all of the designers and makers she had met at markets across Bristol. Chitra is a designer herself and owner of KarveDesign, a handmade jewellery, who had always dreamt of owning her own shop since she was a child.
Speaking on the opening, Chitra said: “It was an opportunity to sell things from Bristol artists I’d met and heard all of their stories. We needed a space that was for us and celebrated independence. This shop came up and I took a chance.”
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The store is home to more than 40 different designers and artists in an exciting, up-and-coming part of North Street, the end closer to East Street. There is a huge range of products in store, including ceramics, jewellery, artworks, locally roasted coffee and other items that make ideal gifts.
In the post on social media, the shop said: “If you want variety on your high street show us support today or we will be gone tomorrow. This is definitely the reality for a lot of shops and we independents are all desperately trying to keep our doors open.”
Chitra continued: “The support during Covid was great. We didn’t have our own website to sell things, something that was then set up by the Bedminster BID for us, which was fantastic. People did buy a few items from there but when it came to Christmas when we were back open in 2020 it actually ended up being our best Christmas to date.
“This year with price increases across the board, we are struggling. December started off slow and even November had been slow and down on previous years. It was one of the reasons that made me write the post, you can really feel the difference.”
While the economy had only just started to recover post-Covid, the cost of living crisis has meant people are spending less. A recession seems likely for the UK after a very difficult year for businesses, and a recent report detailed a dramatic drop in footfall on high streets as strikes impede on shopping.
According to shopping tracking agency Springboard, the number of visitors to UK high streets was down by a fifth on pre-pandemic levels last week and almost 1 per cent down in December 2021 when Omicron was rife and there were some Government restrictions.
“So many things have gone up in price that people are choosing whether to heat their house or feed themselves, we know that gifts aren’t a priority. So it’s trying to reach out to people that it hasn’t made much of a difference, where they can try and shop local even if it’s just for one gift.”
Similar to the Just A Card campaign, if everyone purchased a card or gift at an independent shop it would be enough to keep a business’ doors open during a difficult economic period.
Chitra added that she understood not everyone is in a position to purchase a gift, but also wanted to dispel the misconception that shopping local equals a higher price tag. It’s often quite the opposite, especially when you think of the time and effort to handmake the items.
“For me, it always seems like the prices are lower than they should be. There are some artists that come in, and a lot of them will underprice their products. They’re worried that it won’t sell.”
The store is part of Bedminster BID’s voucher book offering a collection of discounts for Bedminster businesses this month and throughout next year, and IDC has reductions on its coffee. Independent Design Collective is open until 8pm on Thursday for late night shopping and a half day on Christmas Eve.
Find IDC is at 76 North Street, Bristol, BS3 1HJ
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