Getting retail to work in the current climate is incredibly hard. Rent, business rates and staffing costs continue to rise, while online competition shows no sign of slowing.
None of that is news, but it’s always interesting to see an independent business being agile and trying something different.
The Arc, tucked beneath Lurke Street car park, has unveiled a new plan to survive, and hopefully thrive.
Pivot
Around half of the space previously occupied by its café has been transformed into Bedford & Co., a co-operative of local makers and independent businesses, anchored by The Arc’s increasingly popular Bedford-inspired resortwear. (What’s resortwear, I hear you ask? More on that…)
The concept isn’t new, but it’s a clever business model. Lots of individual stalls offering different products under one roof.
The wider product range should attract more footfall, spread commercial risk and help keep The Arc sustainable, while giving local entrepreneurs an affordable way to test the waters of bricks and mortar retailing.
Here, a growing collection of small local businesses has created a colourful mix of baby clothes, jewellery, homewares, skincare, gifts and even a few tongue-in-cheek boob-inspired products.
The Arc earns commission, the makers gain exposure, and shoppers discover something new. It’s a win-win.
If you haven’t visited The Arc yet (why not?), think of it as Bedford’s answer to Oliver Bonas (only fiercely independent and with far more local personality).
Step over the neon pink threshold and you’re greeted by a riot of colour: unusual greetings cards, beautiful wrapping paper, candles, cushions, jewellery, vintage clothing and all manner of irresistible bits and bobs.
Read: Bedford & Co. launches at The Arc to prove our town’s independent spirit is alive and kicking
It’s the sort of place where you pop in for a birthday card and leave with three presents and something for yourself.
Each of the new concessions brings its own distinctive character: from Tarro, skincare made with Beef Tallow from local farms, to the surprise book idea… a book gift wrapped with labels such as “Paranormal Romance for Teens”; Neon Marl clothing; and dried flower arrangements bringing the 90s revival.
Fresh brands which you might normally only find at a pop-up market now have a permanent presence in the town centre.
“Bedford’s growing confidence”
Owner Gemma Crawley-Roberts, complete with matching neon pink eyeliner, is one of Bedford’s most enthusiastic champions.
Warm, welcoming and endlessly entrepreneurial, she’s captured the town’s growing confidence with her Bedford-branded merchandise.
Beach bags, caps and washbags emblazoned with slogans such as “Bedford Innit” and “Bermuda, Barbados, Bedford” have become unlikely local icons, spotted as far afield as Ibiza and Cape Town.
Whether they’re responsible for putting Bedford on the map is debatable, but with those bags, a fantastic independent retail scene and perhaps a certain forthcoming American theme park nearby, our town’s profile is certainly heading in the right direction.
The future of Bedford’s high street isn’t just down to our independent businesses; it’s down to us too.
Every time we choose to spend our money locally, we’re voting for the kind of town we want to live in.
Fortunately, that’s not a difficult choice when we have such a fantastic collection of independent shops, cafés and restaurants right on our doorstep.
