For those of you who have found yourself on this blog without reading my newsletter - hello! I’m just here sharing the big plans I have for PRIOR this year (April 2024 - April 2025).
As I mentioned in my newsletter, I have decided to throw everything at it this year. I have given myself a firm deadline of APRIL 2025 and if it's still losing money then I will either close or relocate to a smaller shop that is in a more residential area.
So, my plans (hopefully without too much waffle):
Take Away Coffee
The response from you guys was incredible. Thank you so much. Because I really don’t want to use biodegradable or compostable cups (they are still single-use and need special conditions to biodegrade/compost), I've decided to go with EDIBLE CUPS. They are a thick wafer, like an ice cream cone and hold hot drinks for up to an hour. Some cafes in Bristol already use them and the feedback is insanely positive. Thank you to everyone who suggested those. Also, there is another company called REFILL - a rentable reusable cup but you don’t get charged a deposit at the time. It’s an app where the cup is scanned and you have 14 days to return it to the designated boxes that are around Bristol and are only charged the £3 if it’s not returned. It’s brilliant but they have stopped the project in Bristol and have now moved on to Bath and Cardiff. They hope to be back in Bristol later in the year. Again - thanks to all those who suggested this too!
Creative Quarter
I’m working with Cabot Circus to turn Quakers Friars into a Creative Quarter. I’m really throwing everything at this idea to see what happens. It's a high-risk, but could be a brilliant reward for the creative community of Bristol and tourists.
The Mall at Cribbs Causeway and RHS shows
I’m going to try to secure a pop-up shop at The Mall in Cribbs Causeway over Christmas. Christmas sees such a vast increase in sales so I think if we expand during the busy season (in pop-up shops and markets), we might make enough to cover our overheads all year in the main shop in Cabot Circus.
More in-house products, workshops and exhibitions.
I will be making a plan of our in-house workshops (including lamp making) and products we make as a staff team. It keeps us all happy. Less admin - more making is my mantra this year. I’m also trying to organise a staff team exhibition in our gallery space because we are all artists!
Marketing and advertising
I’m having some films made for the shop and encouraging our artists to do the same. These videos of artists/designers making products will be shown on a screen at the shop - with subtitles and headphones. Connecting customers to people's studios. I am also speaking to social media ad managers to create some targeted marketing.
Smaller Shop
I know more people are shopping locally and the City Centre is declining. So, if the next 12 months don’t work, I will be relocating PRIOR and the team to somewhere smaller. Another little shop somewhere near my house (Redfield, Bristol) or perhaps even further. Who knows what it will be, just our shop, or still MORE than a shop… we’ll have to see.
If you could take 3 mins to complete the following survey, I would be very grateful. It is needed to kick-start the marketing.
Thanks as always,
Beck
