After searching the city for a budding entrepreneur with a big idea, Lower Precinct Coventry has announced Stacey Meikle as the winner of its ‘Win A Shop’ competition. Stacey’s Shabby Shack, located at Unit 1 Sherbourne Arcade, upcycles old furniture to create unique, bespoke pieces.
Launched back in September, the competition was created to give someone with a great business idea, an eye for retail detail, and the passion to succeed, the chance the chance to win a shop unit in the Coventry-based shopping centre for 12 months.
Stacey’s Shabby Shack is a bespoke furniture specialist, taking old pieces of furniture and transforming them into unique one off pieces. After running her business from home in Coventry for the past 18 months, Stacey Meikle now has the opportunity to take Stacey’s Shabby Shack out of her home and onto the high street.
Stacey prides herself on her ability to create stunning but affordable one of a kind pieces suitable for any home and any budget.
Stacey Meikle, founder of Stacey’s Shabby Shack, comments:
“I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity to open my very own shop in Lower Precinct. Owning a shop means that for the first time ever, my pieces will be on display for people see in and hopefully fall in love with.
“It started as a hobby but in 18 months I have managed to create a business that helps me create beautiful pieces for fantastic customers. Until now, I have used social media to build the brand and create ‘word of mouth’ referrals, which has worked really well and I already have over 6,000 Facebook Likes. But this opportunity really allows me to showcase my work and, hopefully, grow my customer profile.”
Following an open application process, three businesses were shortlisted and invited to join an expert panel of judges; Nicola Cormell, Centre Manager at Lower Precinct; Trish Willets, BID Manager for Coventry Business Improvement District; and Tara Tomes, Managing Director of PR and marketing agency, EAST VILLAGE.
Nicola Cormell, Centre Manager at Lower Precinct, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Stacey’s Shabby Shack to Lower Precinct. As soon as we met Stacey, the judges could see not just her passion but also fantastic talent. We were impressed with how she has organically grown the business in the past 18 months and we all felt that a permanent home on the high street would help establish it as one of Coventry’s real independent success stories. I wish Stacey the best of luck.”
As part of the prize, Stacey Meikle now has a unit within Lower Precinct Coventry, rent free for 12 months, as well as business and marketing support from the centre, Coventry Business Improvement District, EAST VILLAGE., and other key partners.
The store is open now at Unit 1 Sherbourne Arcade.