That’s exactly what jeweller and entrepreneur Kerry Huff has done. Using £150,000 of her own money, and a £50,000 Nat West business development loan, she has taken a 10 year lease on an old shop premises in Sydney Street, North Laine, Brighton. After a complete refurbishment, the shop has become ‘The Crop’, a bespoke jewellery boutique. The Crop offers exclusive handmade jewellery, hand-picked pieces from exclusive brands, and a selection of bespoke homeware, books and art. All picked to compliment her own high quality jewellery, and the company’s stated aim to be ethically responsible.
Having left university with a BA Honours in jewellery design, Kerry has spent the last twenty years building her reputation as one of the jewellery industry’s foremost designers and design consultants. Now, with the birth of the Crop, she has the opportunity to present her own bespoke pieces, and those of other highly talented creative designers and jewellery makers.
On The Crop’s first floor are two additional rooms, which have also been fully refurbished. In keeping with the company’s business ethos, the intention is to attract homeopathy, acupuncture and reflexology therapists interested in opening treatment rooms.
Once considered a slum area of Brighton. North Laine has been transformed into a vibrant, retro-chic, mishmash of over 300 independent shops and studios located throughout its narrow twisting streets. It is the largest area of independent traders on the South Coast of England.
With such a large group of local entrepreneurs selling everything from vintage fashion and Mexican furniture, to metalwork, ceramics, glass, sculpture, and paintings, The Crop is in the ideal place to attract those with a love of chic, handmade, high-end pieces of bespoke jewellery.
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Hobbycraft, the established chain of hobby supply stores, will be opening its first Northern Ireland location with Hobbycraft Newtownabbey. There are plans for a second store to follow.
