A group of High Barnet retailers are demonstrating yet again the ability of the High Street to reinvent itself. A ground-breaking zero waste shop, Kronos and Rhea, which was forced to close last year, is now about to become a boutique for three traders who have combined forces to re-open the empty premises.
They are aiming to build on their success as retailers at another High Street innovation, the Chipping Work Shop.
The three traders will each concentrate on a range of niche products: Blond Bakes by Donna Reynolds; Louise Franco of Portobello Road Princess will offer a range of clothes, accessories, and candles; and jewellery will be presented by Trinket Fairy.
Alterations and repainting are now in hand ready for the shop’s re-opening.
Bob Burstow, secretary of the Chipping Barnet Town Team, is delighted that three of the entrepreneurs who took space at the Chipping Work Shop have benefited from that experience and are now able to move on to new premises.
Much to its disappointment, because of prohibitive rents and rates, the Town Team was unable to continue operating the Work Shop which opened last August as a retail space and which quickly became a vibrant hub for a range of pop-up business, including a High Street bar for local brewers Urban Alchemy.
The aim of the project was to help revitalise the High Street by supporting new businesses, but the operating costs could not be sustained and the Work Shop had to close in mid-March leaving traders with no alternative but to try to find new premises.
“Although the Town Team were unable to extend the life of the Work Shop, we are delighted that three of the pop-up businesses grew in confidence, working as colleagues, and have now combined forces to carry on their businesses together and establish a new boutique.
“Hopefully their new venture will be one of the fruits of the Town Team’s efforts to help find space in prime locations for budding entrepreneurs and to give them a chance to build up a business.”
As one retail outlet emerges another closes – and it was a sad moment across the High Street when loyal customers said farewell to Julian Stewart, who at 74, was finally calling it a day at Julian’s Hardware, the High Street’s longest serving independent trader.
Julian’s closing down sale attracted hordes of bargain hunters at what had become a High Barnet institution, an enticing Aladdin’s cave for any do-it-yourself enthusiast searching for the right tool, tin of paint, piece of ironmongery or any other household item.
Another newcomer trading in Barnet is bread maker Roberto Bumbalo who bakes sourdough loaves and focaccia at his home in Wood Street and who has a stall each Wednesday as Barnet Market.
All his bread is made with naturally rising yeast. Preparation before baking takes up to eight hours. The loaves are baked for four hours in batches of 24 at a time – and he sells around 80 each Wednesday at his stall, Mollica, wild bakes and ferments.
Roberto arrived in the UK from Italy ten years ago and used to work in restaurants before turning to bread making. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Once again Barnet High Street has been decked with the banners of the opposing noblemen and armies who fought at the Battle of Barnet in 1471.
Traders and shoppers are extending a big thank you to the volunteers at Barnet Museum who painted and repaired the banners over the winter months before their installation at the top of lamp posts by the staff of contractors Bouygues.
Doing their bit to spruce up the town centre were volunteers for a litter pick organised by Barnet Residents Association.
Green bags were handed out at a stall in the Spires manned by (from left to right) Anna Watkins, secretary; Gordon Massey, former chair; and Melvyn Sears, chair.
“We had great support,” said Mr Sears. “We sent people out to 21 locations and collected 25 bags of litter.
“Chipping Barnet Councillor Emma Whysall came back with three bags, all substantially filled, and others who came along and helped were Theresa Villiers, the Chipping Barnet MP, and Councillor David Longstaff of Barnet Vale.”
