Funding bid success for new Gulberwick retail space

A NEW retail space for local craft products is set to be created in a garage in Gulberwick following a successful bid for £2,000 of funding from Business Gateway.

The Annex is being set up by local craftsperson Robyn Jones of Kaleidoscope Design, and it will work on the ‘cake fridge’ honesty principle. It should be up and running at the start of next year.

Products from several local crafts people and small businesses including Jones’ own designs will be available at the converted retail space, which will feature a changing room for trying on clothes, and display units for other sellers to rent. There will also the option to ring for assistance.

Jones said that after a year of trading she is well aware of how “incredibly difficult” it is to afford a retail space or to be stocked in other outlets.

“I want to open The Annex to provide not only myself with a retail space, but also to provide an affordable selling option for other businesses in Shetland that have the same struggles,” she said.

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“I’m over the moon that people have shown so much support for the project. I would love to tell people more about it this Saturday at the Halloween Market at the Toll Clock shopping centre.”

The market will be held this Saturday in the vacant shop next to the Olive Tree from 10am until 4pm, and will feature a number of local small businesses, some of whom will be selling in The Annex in future.

It will also feature some Halloween themed products and games for kids.

A crowdfunding campaign to cover some of the costs of setting up the Annex space has also been launched.