Union of Kingston Students
We teamed up with UKS in 2020 to start investigating ideas for a standalone space in Kingston - could we develop their offer from more than a rail of hoodies in their reception?
Overview
We saw exciting pop-ups, retail and regeneration ventures from Glasgow School of Art, Southampton, LCC, Sheffield and Croydon and took inspiration.
In December 2020 we spotted an opportunity to go for the Mayor of London’s Make London Fund. We co-wrote the bid with UKS and developed a relationship with a landlord of a vacant unit, securing us a space rent free for five months. We pitched to key existing stakeholders at Kingston Council and Canadian & Portland Estates to support.
Following the successful crowdfunder we steered the creative direction of the branding, identity and interiors, setting the BA Creative and Cultural Industries and BA Interiors students a brief to create a name, identity and interior plan.
Not my beautiful house
We opened the first space in May 2021 and actually stayed there for a year, a little longer than the four months planned! Even more incredibly in March 2022 we won further funding and a new space to operate from in the town centre.
NMBH has been in the Ancient Market House since May 2022 with two further extensions and occupancy agreed until 30th June. Since moving to the Market House, we’ve seen a 40% increase in sales and up to 450% increase in footfall compared to the same time last year. Our sales have nearly doubled and footfall increased by 200%, and we now represent over 200 sellers stocking everything from prints, greetings cards, ceramics, jewellry, textiles, vintage clothes and homewares.
Not bad for a four month project, we have also been nominated for two years running in the best independant retailer at the Kingston Borough Business Awards and nominated for the Creative Retail Awards for best Pop up Shop!
You can shop online at https://www.notmybeautifulhouse.co.uk/ or visit us in the Ancient Market House, Kingston.
