The collaboration between traders at Arnold’s AMP has seen business booming six months after the £4 million development opened.
The building opened on Friday November 18, 2022 and is the biggest investment the council have made to revitalise Arnold town centre and support local businesses.
Natalee Onyeche’s vegan beauty brand, Skin Solace, moved to the AMP in March and has welcomed many customers over the past few months.
She said: “We believe that collaboration with other businesses in the area is essential for the growth and success of our community.
“This collaborative approach has helped to generate more footfall in the AMP and fostered a sense of community among local businesses.”
An example of this cooperation can be seen between Taste First and Cleo’s Delicatessen, as the deli provides tapas board for the tasting sessions held at the wine shop.
The companies also still in communications with the council, who own the building.
Shop owners were grateful to have the opportunity to open as renting from the council is cheaper than doing so privately but members of the public feel council money could have been spent more beneficially.
James Carson, owner of the Taste First a wine shop, said: “There’s a big difference between private landlords, if you look in different areas rent is all double the price and we would have had to spend all our money opening.
“It was a risk to take but it is nice that the council is encouraging small businesses.”
Taste First offers wine tastings in-store, as well as at-home sessions and tasting vouchers.
James added: “We have lots of plans for the future and in the summer want to completely change the vibe, with live music events and even lunch menus.”
Cleo’s Delicatessen, co-owned by Chloe Cross and Theo Solomon, offers a variety of lunch items, including their popular salads, sandwiches and sweet treats.
The pair met in a deli and have been wanting to run their own for years.
Theo said: “It is nice that the council actually invests in the town.
“For us, it was great to be able to go into a building and set up from scratch rather than have to go and change a previous business.”
They are overwhelmed by the number of loyal customers and have been working long hours since opening but will be hiring new staff members this month.
However, one unit remains empty with the upstairs area also vacant.
Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth said: “We have some fantastic small independent businesses already open at The AMP and we’re in discussions with a prospective tenant to fill the last vacant unit.
“Our officers are also working pro-actively with landlords in the borough to encourage them to bring units back into use.
“Plans for the top floor at The AMP have evolved due to the change in demand for large office space following the pandemic, but we are working to develop the space to better suit smaller businesses.
“As well as investing in the building itself, we will also be holding specialist markets and events in the public area in front of the sites. These markets will help draw more people to the area and complement, rather than compete with, the existing market traders at Eagle Square.”
