It’s less than a year since a Middlesbrough shopping centre appointed indoor market manager, David Harris, and already his contribution to long term plans for the centre are proving fruitful.
A six-figure refurbishment programme set out just 12 months ago for Dundas is nearing completion and now the focus is on filling the few remaining vacant units.
Since his appointment, David has been working with existing market retailers to look at ways in which they can improve their exposure and accelerate their business within Dundas Market. This has resulted in a number of retailers moving to bigger and more prominent units.
Simone’s Gifts are proof that the investment programme is working for her business. Simones recent move to a new unit offers more opportunities for the babywear brand and now has more space for new stock and alternative products such as sweet hampers and gifts.
“It’s incredible to think we’ve only been in Dundas Market a year, since then we’ve moved twice and each time it’s been to a bigger and better unit.” says Simone Garbutt, Owner.
“The management team have been the main ingredients to our development. They’ve been so supportive by giving us endless opportunities for expansion.”
LD Printing and How-R-U also seized the opportunity for expansion and have acquired more space.
With a thriving social media following, LD Printing were looking for the next best move for their business. As their customers rapidly grow, they needed a unit to accommodate their printing and unique personalised merchandising.
In addition, How-R-U recently expanded and now gives them the ability to offer a variety of new treatments and products. These include massages from a trained specialist and bio-energy tests to determine skin problems; as well as expanding their product ranges in holistic health and wellbeing.
Three new shops have started trading at the Dundas Market – Children’s toys and gifts shop SerenAva has opened its doors at the Dundas Market, alongside family-run gifts business Fizz Bomb and photography studio Tees Pics.
With only six units at the centre to let, David is confident that a full house can be achieved within the next six months.