2 minute read
Business
Achieving growth during challenging times
Amidst the backdrop of a national pandemic and challenging economic climate, Heather Jane & Co against the odds is a rapidly growing, exciting, young business. Now with two shops in Fowey and Tavistock, they bring together a wide variety of crafted and artistic creations from more than 90 southwestbased, independent makers and artists. The driving force behind the business is husband and wife team, Steve and Heather Bowyer. Heather originally trained as a florist, before adapting her creative skills to work in visual merchandising at garden centres in the Midlands. Steve is an experienced business manager, having worked at a senior level for large garden centres around the UK. The couple relocated to the South West when Steve became head of RHS Garden Rosemoor in 2017; the relocation provided Heather with the opportunity to adapt her skills once more and set up as an independent craft maker, trading as Heather Jane Creations. They opened the first Heather Jane & Co shop in Fowey immediately after the first lockdown on 15 June 2020. Despite the lockdowns and the challenges faced during COVID19 and the current economic climate, the business is achieving rapid growth, and Steve and Heather opened the second shop in Tavistock in May this year. The couple say: “We were keen to find locations with high footfall for our shops; Fowey and Tavistock are proving to be a perfect blend. The wonderful thing about Heather Jane & Co is that we get to work with the most incredibly talented makers and artists and provide them with the means to present their creations in a professional and commercial environment. We carefully select each of our craft makers to guarantee an extensive range of unique products, many of them exclusive to Heather Jane & Co.
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“Both locations provide us with the perfect mix of customers, from the local community along with elevated levels of tourists - this was a fundamental part of our strategy when selecting the shops. Our makers create ranges which appeal to those looking to treat themselves, friends, family or simply take a memory back from their holiday, resulting in their work being enjoyed across the UK and abroad. Likewise, it helps us to increase the size of our online market as many customers contact us through our website on returning from their holiday, looking to add to the items that they have already purchased.” Sitting within Tavistock Town Hall with windows onto Bedford Square at one end and out into the Pannier Market at the other end, the Tavistock shop is spacious and fully accessible. Heather’s skilful merchandising of the 70-plus independent ranges is a joy to see.
Heather Jane & Co Tavistock
Cra�t Makers Collective A warm welcome awaits at our new Tavistock shop!
OPEN Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm
