It might seem like the craziest time to start in retail, but the oldest building on the high street has just become the newest shop to open its doors.
And the woman behind the venture says that as Covid-19 has highlighted many vulnerabilities of food shortages, and starting up while still in lockdown will go some way to counter that with a range of groceries available in stock and online.
Tamsin Brown opened Sovereignty at 154 High Street on Thursday last week (18 June). Local people will know this as the building occupied by Little Flower for many years, and the oldest building on the high street, dating back to 1668.
Today the shop sells art and food as well as design services. Tamsin is a multi-disciplinary artist with 17 years’ experience working in design and illustration in London with high-profile brands such as Facebook, Google, Burberry and Lacoste.
She said: “I have a particular interest in the luxury market as I design silk scarves. I studied at Napier University, briefly at Glasgow School of Art and for my MA at Central St Martins. I studied business, 3D digital animation and illustration. I went to school in Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh and did my undergrad in Edinburgh before moving to Glasgow then London. My work references many different cultures as most places I have lived have been populated by BAME communities which has had a huge influence on my textile design.”
Tamsin also explained her reasons for naming the shop Sovereignty: “I’m buying from independent makers so encouraging sovereignty in those industries.”
Groceries are also available online at www.sovereignty.shop and deliveries could be available in the future.
