Fast-growing online marketplace, Hope and Story, has launched a brand-new pop-up shop in Worcester City Centre, to bring quality British brands to the high street in the build-up to Christmas.
Officially launched in August 2021, Hope and Story was originally inspired in spring 2020 when co-founder, Betsy Vickery, spent weeks searching online for 100% British-made gifts for her daughter’s birthday, and found there was no e-Commerce marketplace that sold products made by independent, sustainable, and truly British brands.
Determined to fly the flag for British-made lifestyle goods, Betsy enlisted the help of her childhood friend, Lizzy Waterhouse, and they set to work in developing the virtual British-made marketplace to offer conscious consumers the chance to find and support independent makers with a limited digital presence.
As a result of their online success, the female entrepreneurs have now set up shop on Friar Street, in Worcester’s bustling city centre, with the purpose of giving independent British brands a platform to sell their quality and ethically made products in person.
From homeware and fashion to gifts and food, the temporary store will become a hub for independent British brands throughout the crucial Christmas period – with the ambitious co-founders already planning to establish a permanent store presence in the New Year.
The pop-up marks an important milestone for Hope and Story, as well as signalling a win for up-and-coming independent British brands in the West Midlands.
Discussing the launch of the Worcester-based pop-up, Betsy, co-founder of Hope and Story, said: “Since launching the Hope and Story marketplace last year, we have had the pleasure of working with and supporting hundreds of British made brands, while building a community of conscious consumers who want to support locally grown businesses, dedicated to creating high quality produce.
Following a series of successful trade shows and events, we realised that consumers want to return to the high-street post-pandemic and enjoy meeting friends and family members, while shopping in person.
We are, therefore, incredibly excited to launch our new pop-up shop and already have plans in place to hopefully establish a permanent retail presence on Worcester’s high street in early 2023 – giving local consumers the opportunity to see what these fantastic independent brands have to offer.”
Located on 43 Friar Street, Hope and Story officially opened its doors on 28th September and will remain open until January 2023.
All products listed via the Hope and Story site and showcased in store are united in the same standard of quality to appeal to conscious consumers dedicated to shopping local, shopping sustainable and shopping British – with leading brands including Georgie Murton, Studio Arcform, Samuel Groves, Jackie Maguire and Gungho to name a few.
For more information, visit: https://hopeandstory.com.
