PH NEWS 4-5-7-9-11.qxp_5/7/8-9/13/15/16-17/19/20 14/04/2021 15:43 Page 5
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Above: Black + Blum’s Dan Black assisting at City Harvest London during lockdown.
Black + Blum does lunch Black + Blum has launched a recipe book, Let’s Do Lunch Box. The hardback book - developed with publisher Dorling Kindersley - features 82 recipes in full colour. The book is designed to inspire consumers to make tasty meals, (lunch, breakfast or snacks) to take with them in their Black + Blum product of choice. “We hope our retail partners will list the book and feature it alongside our lunch boxes,” comments Nick Cornwell, managing director of Black + Blum. “Giving consumers inspiration through the pages of the book, will make them more likely to buy a lunch box and the book too.” He emphasises: “It is a book that really underlines our credentials in the food and drink on-the-go sector, by showing people how to get the most out of our welldesigned products”. As part of the company’s sustainability commitment, 5% of the sales revenue from every book sold will be donated to Black + Blum’s new charity partner City Harvest London. The charity collects surplus food and gets it safely to the most vulnerable in society, thereby avoiding food waste. Dan Black, founder and lead designer states, “We are thrilled that we are going to be a small part of the great work being done by City Harvest London. It seems appropriate that we should help a charity local to our London base, where there is such an overwhelming need for this kind of support”.
“There is a lovely buzz in the shop and high street,” said Bridie Wilkinson, marketing manager for Barkers and Barkers Home in Northallerton, speaking the day after non-essential retailers in England and Wales had reopened on April 12. “People are happy to be out again; we had good takings on 12th, and it is busy again today.” Bridie added: “It feels really positive; when I walked down the high street at lunchtime it was full of people dining outside and in pop-up beer gardens.” The Northallerton department store (winner of Picnicware in the window of EIH 20 Best Department Store Independent) reopened with a Above: Car and Kitchen, Settle. ‘Brighter Days Loading’ campaign in its window. Spring flowers and picnics are the re-opening window theme at Car and Kitchen in Settle. “We’re selling loads of picnicware; outdoor dining will be the foreseeable future,” stated co-owner Tash Meredith. She describes the first two days since re-opening as “pretty good – a nice, steady vibe rather than crazy busy.” She added: “Everyone has been popping in to show their support. We’ve done well with online sales over lockdown, but there is nothing like face to face and being able to chat to customers again.” In Tunbridge Wells, Sarah and Alan Wood, joint mds of Trevor Mottram are happy that re-opening trade is “pleasantly busy,” noting that the pavements of The Pantiles are full of people eating out, despite the cold temperatures. Sarah and Alan have both been featured on Radio Kent and in the local press following the screening of the shop’s tv makeover (see below), adding to the buzz in-store. At Harts of Stur in Sturminster Newton, purchasing director David Conduit described the re-opening of the cookshop as “really good.” He elaborated: “We had everything looking perfect, and the customers came flooding in. It’s busy again today as well, and everyone seems happy that a degree of normality is returning.” (See Retailer viewpoints pages 16-17). l Trevor Mottram, Tunbridge Wells was recently featured on BBC Two’s Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr in an episode where designers transformed three shops into destination shopping spaces.
Farewells to remarkable women
Pendeford celebrates Pendeford Housewares has been celebrating 40 years of service for Maggie Brooker, one of manufacturer’s production team, who joined the company aged 19. Maggie was surprised when Lee Parkin (the new owner and managing director of Pendeford) and Andy Smith (new general manager) presented her with a bracelet, card, flowers and champagne. She admitted: “I’m shocked and delighted; it’s hard to think I’m 40 let alone been here for 40 years,” while joking: “Does this mean I can stay?” Above: Maggie (centre) with teammate Indu (who has been at Pendeford for over 25 years) and line manager Gian (over 20 years at the company).
The housewares industry has suffered two sad losses with the recent deaths of Louise Talbot, buyer for TK Maxx (TJX Europe) and Hilary Woolston, founding partner of The Kitchen Shop, Lichfield, both from cancer. Described by her family as The Kitchen Shop’s matriarch, Hilary was a pioneering independent retailer and familiar friendly face to all those attending trade shows and industry events. She and her husband Barry (of 55 years) opened The Kitchen Shop in August 1982 and later Lizzy and Vicky, two of Above: Louise Talbot pictured with her family. their daughters, joined them. The family hopes to hold a memorial and Left: Hilary Woolston is celebration of Hilary’s life when friends can gather again. “We will never pictured holding the trophy for CHA Retailer of the Year at forget Hilary,” says fellow cookshop owner Yossi Gliksmann of Upstairs the EIH Awards 2011, Downstairs, Oswestry. alongside husband Barry (with Highly respected buyer James Martin, awards host Louise Talbot was renowned and Jane Mason, then head of sales at Le Creuset). for her enthusiasm, positive energy and creativity. She was passionate about developing housewares and home products and loved what she regarded as her dream job. “The industry has lost a real diamond,” reflects industry colleague Jenny Stewart from Ultimate Products.
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