Success of new giftware shop is a dream come true for Meg Hawkins
Meg Hawkins’ popular new giftware shop in the Pride Hill Shopping Centre
A new independent giftware store that opened in Shrewsbury’s Pride Hill Shopping Centre last November is proving hugely popular and attracting a wide range of customers, from students to home owners to business people.
Meg Hawkins is a licensed, published watercolour artist whose work features on greetings cards, prints, gifts and homeware.
In November Meg opened her new giftware shop on the middle-level of the Centre, seeing it as a huge opportunity for her popular and ever growing brand to reach new customers – and a chance to bring a dream to fruition.
Meg at the opening of her new shop in November 2018
Nearly six months on Meg is delighted with how popular her new venture is proving to be, as she explains.
What inspired you to open in Shrewsbury?
Meg: Shrewsbury is such a vibrant and wonderful town and being given the opportunity to open our first shop here has been fantastic. It has been brilliant having a base here in this town from which to operate the business, sell our products and meet our customers both old and new.
Who visits your shop in Pride Hill?
Meg: We have been amazed by how many new customers have visited us in the shop – everyone from students to empty nesters, from those looking to decorate homes or businesses to people looking for bespoke designs. It is very exciting to know that my work has such a wide appeal.
People love your shop – why do you think it’s so popular?
Meg: I hope it’s because people can see the love and passion we have for it and would like to think that our enthusiasm is infectious.
What is unique about your shop?
Meg: My husband Ade and I have fitted the whole shop out by hand and are very proud with how it looks and feels. I am constantly creating new work and developing new products as well, so that there is always something new for people to see when they visit the shop. We are so passionate about what we do and put a lot of love into the shop – there is nowhere else like it as a result. We really wanted to give the homely feel for our customers to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy browsing and shopping. With soft lighting can really create a wonderful shopping experience
What makes the location so special?
Meg: We are in a beautiful, historic town, which takes great pride in its independent shops. We have also been supported from the beginning by Shropshire Council and by the shopping centres, ensuring that we can really thrive in this stunning town.
Do you have any favourite products?
Meg: Can I say all of them?! We have been working with a number of licensing companies over the past two years and this has enabled us to bring several products to market to sit alongside the cards, prints and gift wrap. These products range from standing fine bone china to fair trade bowls, which I love.
Meg at work
Any exciting news to share?
Meg: We now stock nearly 100 stockists nationally and internationally with our cards and prints, which is amazing. I am also really excited about the new product development we are currently working on with the licensing companies we are contracted to. You will be able to see the new products in the shop soon! We also recently won Best New Business in the Midlands in the Rural Business Awards, which was an incredible honour.
What’s the hardest thing about running a small retail shop?
Meg: The hardest thing is being a ‘one-man-band’. I have an incredible team of friends and supporters but really want to get to the point where I can employ staff to help the business grow further and give me more time to create new designs and develop new products.
How do you feel about the news of High Streets suffering?
Meg: I feel that people do still want to go out and shop but they want an experience – they want to touch, feel and engage. I think the Shrewsbury BID, Shropshire Council and the shopping centres are working incredibly hard to innovate and drive footfall so I am in the best place to grown my own bricks and mortar retail business.
For more information about Meg, her shop and her work, go to: www.meghawkins.co.uk.
Issued on behalf of Shrewsbury Shopping Centres
