As many firms are moving off the high street and online, a new business owner in the Eden Valley is bucking the trend — and expanding into retail.
Graphic designer Lucy Richardson has returned to the company with which she did work experience and has bought Appleby Business Services (ABS).
Now Lucy has moved the business from Bridge Street to West Cloisters, adjacent to the market square in the centre of Appleby, providing a destination stationery store as well as printing and graphic design service.
Lucy said: “My experience of retail before buying the business was helping my brother in the fish and chip shop he had in Kirkby Stephen for 17 years.
“However, I did know the business, as I came to ABS for my work experience when it was run by Gilian Dargue when I was a student at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School. The move to the new premises in June provided me with a better location and I have seen more footfall since the move — from the first day I took over I’ve been busy with customers.
“I went to study a degree in graphic design at what was Carlisle Art College and worked for 16 years as the graphic designer at Out of Eden in Kirkby Stephen and decided it was time to start my own business.”
Lucy saw an advert in the window of ABS announcing the business was for sale and decided it was the ideal fit with her graphic design offer.
She said: “It was a great opportunity to run my graphic design business where clients could come in and see proofs and talk through their design briefs. With creative work, it is always good to have the opportunity to talk face-to-face with clients. Also, this was the perfect opportunity to expand into stationery as I have a passion for it!”
Lucy took over the business in March, 2021, and is enjoying sourcing quality stock. She now carries new ranges of quality journalling books, planners, and diaries as well as a wide range of printer inks. She is also investing in a new, high-quality photograph printer.
Lucy, who lives in Ormside, added: “I have had many people coming in for photo printing, especially as the agricultural shows were coming up, to enter photographs in competitions. I can do very short runs of printing for photos and documents.
“With transport costs going up, I think it is important to offer these services in town where people can come in and get what they need, in the quantities they require. It’s good to keep services like these local.
“I can’t always compete with online prices, however, people don’t need to buy more than they need, and they can get printed proofs rather than on screen, so there is less chance of a costly mistake.
“Also, it is the customer service you can offer as an independent retailer. A gentleman came in with a pen he had been given by his parents for his 21st birthday, almost 50 years ago. It hadn’t worked for 30 years, but I have been able to source cartridges for the pen. It’s such a pleasure to provide a service like this.”
Lucy’s daughter Ruby has followed in her mother’s design footsteps and her cards have sold out in the shop with more coming into stock soon.
Lucy added: “I believe people want the personal service when it comes to printing and design, and when it comes to stationery, you want to feel the quality and enjoy making your selection from a range in front of you.
“The town centre location is ideal for both the design and retail business and I’m enjoying getting to know my customers.”
