Highcliffe is known for it’s gorgeous beaches, its proximity to the New Forest, it’s having a castle and most famously having the founder of Selfridges Department Store, Harry Selfridge himself, buried in St Mark’s Church.
It seems only right and proper therefore that the street should bustle with vibrancy and life and that shoppers should be able to shop to their heart’s content.
That is not, however, the case – until now. Monica Demetriou and Tracey Beesley, two Highcliffe girls, have decided to bring something fresh, new and oh so chic to the area.
Although new to retail both have worked in retail environments or with retailers and believe they know what they need to do to run a successful shop in Highcliffe.
However, as Tracey says “we need the people of Highcliffe and surrounding areas to recognise what we are trying to do and to support us”. “in a recent online survey completed by over 500 people in the area, many asked for boutique style shops; we have simply answered their call”.
Monica says, “we both love the high street, and a retail experience”. “Why can’t have Highcliffe have what other areas appear to have, a beautiful shopping experience, just around the corner from the beach”.
Tracey and Monica both agree that having a store that offers unique, stylish items that encompass “lifestyle”, the new progressive way to shop is key to being a success. Tracey comments “the high street has changed, no longer can you have individual shops that stock just one item, nowadays you have to be all things to everybody – not emulating a supermarket, but bringing a boutique experience so someone can literally walk in and buy something for themselves, for their family, for their friends all in one shop.
When sourcing the brands it was important to Monica and Tracey that the shop encompassed everything they loved. After all, it would not be right to stock items they did not personally love or find covetable themselves. There are over 50 brands ranging from jewellery, to homeware, to cushions, to artwork to fashion accessories as well of course, the mainstay of their brand, ladies clothing.
Many of the brands have artisan style people behind them – making the product in the UK – brands like Anna Joe Scarves – silk, hand rolled scarves made by Gemma Davison who graduated from Hartlepool having studied Textiles and Surface design.
In particular, Monica loves one of the jewellery brands and the story behind this brand – “Monica says “CinderelaB was started by Rachel Jackson whose stylish jewellery brand started on a market stall in London’s East End, Spitafields to be precise, selling to the hipsters of Shoreditch. All jewellery is hand made in a Victorian building in London and is inspired by a full of life Brazilian woman called Cinderela Brancante who believes you can do anything you want if you prepare and work hard enough. “
A favourite brand of Tracey’s is Fab Funky – based on the South Coast Kelly Stevens creates beautiful illustrations which are printed onto real sheet from antique British dictionaries and journals, making each piece unique. Tracey says “I love quirky and this brand really appeals to me; it has a real sense of humour and style about it, is priced brilliantly and at the end of the day every single piece is individual and therefore unique.”
When we asked the ladies why Highcliffe both had their unique “take” on the area. As Monica said “I have lived in the area for over eight years, my girls have been raised here” but being a keen shopper I have always felt it a shame that I have to go to Bournemouth to go shopping”. I think the women and men of Highcliffe do deserve something a bit better as there is no retail whatsoever and retail is key to keeping a high street vibrant.”
Tracey says “I am new to the area, but I love a bustling high street and I cannot believe that Highcliffe, given its rich history, is not living up to it’s full potential. It has so much history – Mr Selfridge, the castle, Chewton Glen Spa (celebrating 50 years) and within touching distance of the New Forest, not to mention the award-winning beaches and the smuggling history…..need I say more. We believe as well that in bringing a different type of shop to the area we can evoke a response and bring more businesses to the area who can see the potential.”
We intend to put on some “an evening with” – a series of guest speakers – who are inspirational in some way to the shop to talk to an invited audience – and will commence from January 21st with Catherine Swatridge, a well qualified and successful Hypnotherapist based in Bournemouth. She will talk about her learnings and how hypnotherapy can help all sorts of people in many ways.
“It really is a case of glass half full not glass half empty when viewing Highcliffe and with our new online shop launching early part of 2016, and new lines being brought in including an extension of our ladies clothing lines, we are full of optimism for the future of not only our business but of the high street as a whole” says Tracey.
Just recently there was an article recently on Mr Selfridge and how he put sex into the shopping experience. Tracey & Monica are not necessarily going to try and emulate that lofty position (!) – but putting smiles on faces and joy into people’s lives will make them very happy. After all, who doesn’t like to shop?
For more information contact Tracey Beesley – [email protected]
Or phone + 44 7932 945738
facebook: lifestyleconcept401
twitter – @concept401
Open Monday thru Saturday
9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
