Five Congleton independent traders to open temporary pop-up together
By Alex Greensmith
21st Jul 2022 | Local News
Five female small business owners from Congleton are to sell their handmade products under one roof.
The Congleton collective of jewellers, candlemakers and more will come together to take over a retail unit in Macclesfield.
While they couldn't find a space in their hometown, they have managed to take over the Macc Pop Up site in Macclesfield's The Grosvenor Centre.
They will take over Macc Pop Up from Monday August 8 to Sunday August 14.
The Congleton women's business are; Jenny Drew of Little Jen Jewellery, Clare Watson from Knotting Special, Fiona Crownshaw and Sarah Dickinson from Cutch Company, Sonia Bailey from Aglaea Jewels, and Laura Beech from Laura Jane Ceramics.
Nub News met with three of the sellers to find out why they decided to temporarily move from market stalls to a physical premises.
"I have alwayted wanted my own shop, I used to tell my grandma when I was a kid that I was going to get my own shop", said jeweller Jenny.
"Obviously, premises are really expensive, so this is a great way to get our name out there for a fraction of the price.
"Sharing the space between the five of us makes it more affordable, and offers a better range for customers as well.
"I love Macc, but it would have been great to do something like this in our hometown.
"Please come and support your local small traders, it has been a really hard few years for everybody, but for us we have been unable to sell loads as we sell the most of our stock at events."
The camaraderie of the five businesses will be evidenced in the shared space of the store, who want to spread positivity about supporting independent traders.
One of the sellers is even waiving some of her profits to a women's breastfeeding clinics for new families.
"I've been making jewellery for about thirteen years," added Jenny from West Heath.
"I find it quite relaxing, and like with some of the other traders, most of what we make are one-offs. What you buy, will be unique, that nobody else can wear. Not like what you get from a chained store, and I've put lots of love into it as well.
"As well as making my own, I buy lots of upcycled chains or beads and will add to it as well.
"I will have a new Pride collection for sale which I will launch at Congleton Pride, and offer a more affordable, and quirky jewellery than my friend Sonia's."
Fellow jeweller and accountant Sonia Bailey, will offer gemstone-based jewellery, polymer clay jewellery and sustainably-sourced wooden boards.
"I named by business after the Greek goddess of adornment because my products are for you and your home to adorn it and bring out your inner goddess", said Sonia.
"I've been making jewellery for 15 years, I find it very therapeutic.
"I sell most of my products in the States. But I do lots of classes at my new purpose build studio on Congleton's Boundary Lane.
"I've just moved to Mossley and love it here. And I'm looking forward to bringing my products to Macclesfield for the first time.
"I think everyone should buy local, buy different and buy individual. Every time something is sold by a sole trader we do a little happy dance."
Fiona Crownshaw of Cutch is also looking forward to selling her great-smelling products.
"I'll be selling homemade candles, reed diffusers, room sprays, wax melts. We also have some soaps. So our products are a big home fragrance collection," said Fiona.
"The business was named Cutch after the Welsh word 'cwtch' which means a special cuddle or a hug. My partner Sarah is from a Welsh family and as we set up during lockdown when you couldn't hug it seemed a great idea, as we launched our 'Embrace' collection, which feels like a homely hug.
"Cutch Company was formed by myself and my wife Sarah Dickinson in June 2020. Sarah will be there at Macc Pop up too, so there will technically be six of us there.
"I was an Operation Director for an education company and Sarah was previously a paramedic and firefighter – more used to putting out flames than creating them! We converted our Congleton garage into a home workshop and have never looked back since.
"We have continued to grow our base and have customers all over the country from our online business which is promising, plus we also do lots of local artisan markets in the north west.
"I think it is a great idea for small companies from the same town like us to bunch together for a temporary thing like this.
"We are delighted to come to Macclesfield this August, and thank you to The Grosvenor Centre for having us."
Congleton ceramic and knitting companies will also be in attendance at the pop-up, which lasts from August 8 to August 14.
Despite not being able to find a temporary retail space in their hometown, the five businesses are open to Congleton venues for hosting them in the future.
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