onionbagblog

Published as part of the Hidden Kiosks Project.

We are still receiving a steady flow of applications to use the social space down at the Hidden Kiosks Project. This is extremely encouraging, and confirms our belief that Colchester is home to a community of creative workers with inspiring social ideas.
 
Coming our way this week is a pitch to use the project by Stitches and Threads. Carly and Kylie have a background in local Colchester retail and fashion styling. The proposal is to combine these skills and transform one of the kiosks in to a vintage clothes store.

“Our idea is to create a vintage brick ‘n brac pop-up store, which would sell everything from clothes, to home ware, to accessories, to local designers clothing, to art etc; a little bit of everything that’s unique.

We think Colchester is missing a shop that combines these elements of one-off finds and vintage clothing. During the day as well as the element of a shop we would also sell refreshments such as tea, and coffee to customers”

Although this is a first time business venture from Stitches and Threads, the application clearly demonstrates a long-term business plan. Carly and Kylie are keen for a three month residency at one of the kiosks, with a view to then taking this venture into a more permanent retail space within Colchester.

As we have experienced with other Hidden Kiosk partners, this is an opportunity to test out a business plan, and then to let the project grow organically before setting up in a more structured retail environment.

“Our shop is an element of shopping that Colchester is missing, and we think it could bring local creatives together, and enable people to have a unique kind of shopping experience.”

We very much like the local angle to the application, as well as the ambitious plans to apply for an evening entertainment licence with the £250 prize money, should the application be successful.

In terms of promotion, Stitches and Threads has a clear strategy. One point that we ask our creative partners to consider carefully is how best to engage the Colchester community in a project that is by definition, hidden:

“We would promote our shop prior to the opening with flyers and posters around town, as well as pitching to local magazines and papers to place small adverts about the shop. We will use social networking sites such as Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter to promote our shop within the network.”

A mix of online and offline promotion is a great approach to take.

Any other business?

“In addition to the above, we would like to get local art and design students involved to display their art within the shop.”

Splendid – Stitches and Threads have submitted a very strong application. The next stage is for our judges to consider the logistics of the proposal, and then hopefully come up with a way to move forward.

If you have a creative idea in how to use this temporary social space in Colchester, then we would love to have a conversation with you. We are keen to encourage individuals, groups, start-ups, and bedroom designers – anyone that wants a platform in which to grow their social idea.

An informal conversation with the Hidden Kiosks team would be great, or if you feel you have enough ideas and inspiration, please do submit an application form.