We’ve all suffered the misfortune of hearing someone utter the phrase, “there’s nothing in Bedford”; but Gemma, the unstoppable force behind The Arc, is here to politely but firmly prove them entirely wrong.
Under the auspices of Bedford & Co., Gemma and her team have curated a one-stop destination shop, designed to champion the town’s relentless ‘can-do’ spirit, bringing together 18 (and counting) of the finest local makers, artists and indie brands, all under one vibrant roof.
And you can find the new Bedford & Co. department in the former You For Coffee space at The Arc’s shop on Howard Street (snuggled right beneath Lurke Street Car Park).
From BedPop to a permanent indie powerhouse
For those with fond memories of the BedPop pop-up shops that once breathed radical, creative life into Bedford’s empty high street spaces, Bedford & Co. feels like the ultimate evolution of that exact same energy.
In fact, one such pop-up Christmas shop took place in The Art Centre – the former name of The Arc.
It proves something that we’ve always known – that when Bedford’s creatives collaborate, magic happens.
The seeds for this new collective grew from the roaring success of Gemma’s own Bedford Resortwear, the brilliantly tongue-in-cheek lifestyle brand celebrating our hometown, coupled with her fierce dedication to the shop small movement.
Instagram followers of The Arc will be familiar with her rallying cry of, ‘Indie F*cking Fridays’, her weekly tour of the best of her fellow indie Bedford businesses.
Support Bedford: 18 reasons to shop small
When we say shop local, we mean it. Every single brand inside Bedford & Co. is based right here on our doorstep.
Familiar Clanger favourites (and some BedPop collaborators)like Neon Marl, Helix & Conch, Circle Square Ceramics, and Fiona Wilson Artist are sitting side-by-side with exciting, emerging indie businesses like Strawberry Moon and Confetti Club.
Whether you’re hunting for a £2 sticker, a piece of handcrafted jewellery, original artwork, or premium homewares, there is something for every budget.
“I couldn’t disagree more with the naysayers,” says Gemma.
“We have an incredible community of talented creatives making beautiful products right here.
“Bedford & Co. is about bringing them together, making them easier to discover, and giving people another reason to shop locally.”
A masterclass in community pride
Every time you choose to buy from a collective like this, you aren’t funding a billionaire’s rocket ship; you are directly supporting a Bedford maker, keeping money circulating in the local economy, and keeping our town unique.
It’s an absolute masterclass in community pride.
“We hope Bedford & Co. becomes somewhere people pop into regularly,” Gemma told the Bedford Clanger.
“Every brand here has been carefully chosen because we genuinely love what they do, and we’re proud to give them a platform.”
Free parking
As an added bonus, you can enjoy two hours of free parking every Saturday and free parking all day every Sunday in Lurke Street Car Park right above the shop.
Keep up-to-date on who is joining the collective next by giving them a follow on Instagram here.
Bedford & Co. at The Arc, 7 Howard Street, Bedford.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday (9am – 3pm), Saturday (9am – 5pm), plus special Sunday openings to coincide with the brilliant Bedford Flea, Affordable Art and Local Produce Market (eg: this Sunday).
