Shelf portrait: Brambles Cookshop

THE TOP 5

THE SHOP’S CURRENT BESTSELLING HOUSEWARES:

l Le Creuset Mills l Repeat Repeat Bone China Mugs l Masterclass Cake Tins from Lifetime Brands l Sophie Allport Oven Gloves l Emma Bridgewater Biscuit Tins from Elite Tins

Inset: Sophie Allport textiles alongside other farm-themed products.

NEW START

Lisa explains why she opened a cookshop: “People in South Cheshire love cooking, and we have lots of fresh produce shops. I wanted a change after working in finance for 30 years and my husband and I have always appreciated good quality cookware.” Lisa’s husband is an excellent cook and helps with the shop’s demonstrations and events.

THE BEST THING

“Brambles Cookshop is unique: super friendly and relaxed. People come in for one thing and then spend an hour looking around as it is a nice environment to browse.”

SINCE REOPENING

“Trade is up on 2019 and I feel positive. I picked up extra customers due to local delivery and my regulars have been coming in even more as they want to support local businesses. The canal is busy, and people are doing lots of Airbnb stays around here. With so many people holidaying in the UK rather than going abroad this year, there are lots of visitors coming into the shop.”

SHELF PORTRAIT

BRAMBLES COOKSHOP

Lisa Taylor opened Brambles Cookshop in 2017 in the village of Audlem, Cheshire, in the heart of farm shop country with an abundance of fresh ingredients. PH gets a flavour of this bright and busy haven for foodies.

Below: Brambles Cookshop, Audlem,

ON THE WAY UP

“Bakeware was going up anyway, but demand soared during the pandemic. I re-focused on it, and sales are continuing to rise. UK made products like Repeat Repeat mugs are also popular. People are more conscious of sustainability and want to know how things are made and where things are made.”

UPS AND DOWNS

“I haven’t been selling a lot of giftware. It seems to be practical things that are selling.”

Facts and stats

Inset: Lisa inside the shop.

l Brambles Cookshop is around 300 square feet, filled with around 1,000 SKUs. l The shop is promoted via Instagram and Facebook, with “a couple of thousand followers who are very local,” says Lisa, adding, “Our local online newspaper is also very supportive, publishing news and articles.” l The shop’s local bake-off competition raised hundreds for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust attracting over a hundred entries, including 57 Victoria Sponges.

LOCKDOWN LESSON

“I have always been selling online but during lockdowns I offered free local delivery and it really worked so I am continuing this service for customers within ten miles of the shop.”

PASSING TRADE

Situated near the Shropshire Union Canal, Brambles Cookshop’s customers include barge dwellers and holidaymakers. “My commute is a walk along the canal, so I know when it’s busy and when to expect more customers. Luxury boat owners make considered purchases, buying quality cookware that looks nice and will last. They often choose Le Creuset cast iron as it’s good for all heat sources. Holidaymakers buy something to take home.”

WEDDING BLISS

“Just before lockdown I created a wedding gift list service on the website. Now a local bride has created her wedding list with

Inset: Display at Brambles.

me and has £thousands of gifts on it. She told me that a lot of retailers have stopped taking on new wedding lists as so many people are getting married now, so this is something that I can focus on locally. People like to buy a couple something they really want, and the value of wedding gifts seems to have gone up.”

LOOKING FORWARD

As social distancing restrictions ease, Lisa is most looking forward to a return to Brambles Cookshops’ social events. “Before the pandemic, we did lots of in-store demonstrations and events like our charity tapas evening and a bakeoff competition in our local Scouts hut, which was a rip-roaring success with lots of prizes donated by my suppliers.”