INDEPENDENT retailers in one section of Bishop Auckland’s historic streets have said that there’s “more than meets the eye” to the town after seeing a thriving ‘shopping culture’ over the last two years.
If you take a little detour from the end of Newgate Street, which holds the usual throng of barbers and the last surviving ‘big names’ on the high street, and delve into the more traditional and independent offerings, you find yourself in a completely different world; Fore Bondgate.
Boasting cafes, tattoo parlours, cake stalls, upmarket hairdressers and homestyle shops galore, the street has welcomed many shoppers into their stores, which is impressive, considering that a pandemic and mini-financial crash have happened within the last two years.
Read more: Bishop Auckland has 34 shopping units unused on its high street
According to those that have retail units here, this part of Bishop Auckland is the “hidden gem” of the town, but with more people turning away from the high streets, they've issued a “use us or lose us” plea for people to increase footfall in the town centre.
As The Northern Echo previously reported, Boots may have announced that it's leaving Newgate Street, making it 34 empty shop fronts on that street alone, but on Fore Bondgate, that’s not the case.
Only a handful of empty shops exist, but for the most part, colourful shop fronts and envious window displays greet you as you walk down the cobbled streets.
This is mainly down to the cheaper rents, the shopping culture, and the sense of unity on Fore Bondgate, according to business owners.
As shoppers and retailers reeled from the loss of another high street name in the form of Boots, which saw people describe the town centre as ‘desolate’, ‘sad’ and ‘heartless’, The Northern Echo paid another visit to Bishop Auckland to visit the independent stores keeping the town going through difficult times.
Wayne Furnell, who owns The Auckland Cupcake Company on the street, describes Ford Bondgate as a “hidden gem” that serves loyal customers.
After starting his business at the Bishop Auckland market, he now owns a café and cake shop with his wife, Joanne, that has gone from strength to strength.
He said: “We have seen popularity over Christmas and always have plenty of customers in the café, independent retailers are doing amazing things here in Bishop Auckland, you just need to know where to look.
“We know how hard it could have been to run an independent street in Bishop Auckland, but the amazing customers have pulled through for us.”
For Mr Furnell, the solution to the success of Bishop Auckland, to make it a thriving shopping district again, is to address the rents and rates on the main Newgate Street.
At the end of last year, the business owner highlighted the problem of rents after he looked to expand his cupcake business. He would have been charged £1000 per month for the old H. Samuel building – something he wasn’t prepared to do.”
Another independent owner that wanted to expand but was ‘priced out’ was Laura Knight, who owns Tinkers Treasures on Fore Bondgate.
The shop owner, who was trading throughout the pandemic, due to click and collect, has cited that there’s room for independents if they market themselves well and put more emphasis on the internet and social media.
She said: “We get a lot of support from Consett, Peterlee, and all over the place – we’re lucky that social media and the website have done wonders for us.
“I think in a few years, independent shops will play a key role in Newgate Street – we want to expand, and the high street needs empty units filling – it’s surely a win-win?
“People need to be the change that they want to see and use it or lose it – that’s my message to people. I want to thank the customers I have and can’t wait to welcome lots more in the future.”
Take a little walk up the street, and there are many more shop owners flying the flag for independent in Bishop Auckland.
Susanne Davison has only had store ‘Bags of Joy!’ on Fore Bondgate since November but hopes to inspire others to take up a store on the street and get Bishop Auckland thriving again.
The retail owner, who lives in the town, remembers the ‘hustle and bustle’ of crowds at the market and believes that the popular market should make a full return one day.
She said: “Trade after Christmas has picked up a little bit, and I’ve got extra trade from my regulars now. It was a big leap for me to take this venture on in November, but I hope that someone else can be inspired by me and set up a store off the back of this.
“The next challenge I have to face is whether the business is viable enough in the future, but owning this shop is great, and every day is different.”
Elsewhere, shop owning couple Tim Scott and Gillian Arnold, who have their homestyle store ‘Gillian Arnold on Fore Bondgate, have had three different units down the street and say “they couldn’t imagine life anywhere else”.
The pair have built their business from a stall in London and have a big internet presence; something that Tim has called “vital” to their success.
He said: “We’re very lucky to have our shop on these historic streets – the ethic on Fore Bondgate is one of togetherness from other business owners, and we have some good trade here.
“Selling items on the internet is just as important as having a store – we’re able to do both well, and I hope that independents take the lead in Bishop Auckland moving forward.”
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