End of an era...
When
I opened Reba way way back in 1994 As a young 24 year old I wanted to
bring something different to the city. I fell in love with the building,
its vaulted ceilings, stone walls and air
of timelessness. My logic was, if you're going to spend all day
somewhere it should be somewhere beautiful. I've never regretted my
choice.
Fast forward 19 years. While Reba has
had many incarnations it has always offered something a bit different
from the norm, either handmade, beautiful, quirky, or from a small label
or company.
I'm a firm believer in the "have nothing that you do not know to be
beautiful or believe to be useful" adage.
Sadly, it's the end of our time here
in Peterborough, a city that has for the most part been kind to us and
supported us with enthusiasm. For many people reading this, this really
won't register
as important in the grand scheme of life and of course it's not really
up there with finding a cure for incurable diseases or anything so
noble, but it is, in my estimation at least, the end of an era, and not
just for my little shop.
It's an embittered and embattled time
for small independent retailers, rents are way out of line with the
footfall that's a daily reality on our high street, business rates are
unbelievably
high and all this against the backdrop of the highest internet usage in
Europe means that it's no longer reasonable for us to continue in
Peterborough.
On a personal note, this saddens me,
not only for the good people who've lost jobs at Reba through no fault
of their own, many of whom have worked for me and together for years,
building great
relationships with each other and our customers. But also for the city.
Not because I think we are irreplaceable, but because what we need more
of on our high streets are independent shops and businesses that bring
character to an area. The thought of a city
filled with clone stores interchangeable with any high street in the
country is to me, simply not appealing but it is the future we are
looking into.
I've always believed that a great
business comes from the heart. Sure money in the till is the final
demarcation of success, but doing something well and with passion,
professionalism and enthusiasm
should be applauded - I worry for fledgling businesses trying to start
in the city.... Where would you open to try out your business idea? If
we don't have spaces for these new businesses where will our young
entrepreneurs go? Without that entrepreneurial spirit
what will be the cost to the city in lost ideas, talent & youth?
So what has happened for us to finally
call it a day after 19 years....? Well, the change in demographic of
the city has had a huge impact. The work on Cathedral Square, while
necessary to
upgrade the city, took a massive toll on shoppers habits and then the
never ending increase in parking charges... But the final nail in the
coffin was the opening of the Peter Brotherhood retail park. Why would a
customer pay to come into town to shop when
they can pretty much get what they need out of town with free parking to
boot?!
We've long been told that we can have
it all. We're the internet age, we can shop online and then visit an
indie store, Garden Park, farmers market or thriving market town. Except
of course
we can't! Or at least if these other sales avenues are going to exist
outside of the traditional high street then rents and rates have to
change and fast! Today, not tomorrow, that kind of fast.
Many of you reading this will have
seen our campaign to promote independent retail in Peterborough through
the launch of the indie retail map and local indie retailers. When I
started this
campaign early in 2013, I already knew that we would have to close, but I
promised myself that if I was going to leave then I would leave with my
head held high knowing that I had done everything in my power to
challenge attitudes both in consumer's minds and
within the ranks of the authorities responsible for making many of the
decisions detailed above.
So how do I feel about the closure of
Reba today? If I'm truly honest, I feel as if I've failed. Logically I
understand that 19 years can't really be construed as a failure, but
that is most
certainly what it feels like. I understand that the odds were against us
from the start.... But it still hurts.
As a wholesaler too, this story of mine
isn't just "my story" it's being played out on High Streets up and down
the country - We are in a time of change and it's my belief that when
the dust
settles we'll end up with a deeply divided system. Indie shops will, for
the most part migrate to affluent pockets, market towns, community
driven areas and out of the way places that can support them without
crazy rent demands. Whilst our cities will become
soulless clone towns that are interchangeable with every other high
street in the UK.
While I might sound like a embittered
doom merchant, that's really not my intention. I'd merely like to point
out that this is happening in front of our eyes. The opening of yet
another betting
shop in Bridge Street must surely be a wakeup call?
My vision for the city is for an
aspirational centre, not because I'm a galloping snob, but because apart
from it being pleasanter socially for each of us to live in a city like
that, it also
makes sound economic sense. Companies looking to relocate and bring
their workforce with them will be looking at the amenities on offer... A
vibrant city centre is high on their agenda. This is and always has
been about so much more than simply "shopping"
I'd like to make it clear that I'm not
"Peterborough bashing" I'm just reporting on things from my own little
corner of the world. Peterborough has been good to us and in return
we've tried
to give something back. My vision was and remains to something
different, to celebrate individualism, to offer choice and variety and
fun.... It was not about purely making money, lest anyone confuse the
two.
Facing our 20th
year of trading, taking the decision to exit our lease has been a
difficult and emotional one for
all of us concerned. We would like to thank our staff, our suppliers and
of course we'd like to thank the people of Peterborough and the
surrounding areas, who have supported us for the past 19 years. We've
had a blast and we're so grateful to have been part
of your lives. We wish you the very best.
Finally, I'd like to thank the local
media who have always been very supportive of us and the council. If
you're out and about shopping, please support the other indie retailers
in the city.
We would like the farewell for Reba to
be a celebration of our 19 year history, so if you are in the city
centre before the 11th January please stop by to check out the sale and
say goodbye!
Goodbye from Rachel & the Reba girls
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