IBC_PH SHELF PORTRAIT UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS_muk.qxp_Grid 21/01/2022 07:44 Page 59
THE TOP
5 SHELF PORTRAIT
THE SHOP’S CURRENT BESTSELLERS:
l Katana Saya Knives from Grunwerg l Spanish Pottery from Divine Distribution l Tableware and Cookware from Jomafe l Glassware from Dartington Crystal l Stainless steel, Wooden and Silicone Utensils from Captivate Brands
RETAILER PROFILE Inset: Tala Silver Anodised is made in England.
UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS Upstairs Downstairs in Oswestry won the Independent Cookshop of the Year at The Excellence in Housewares Awards 2021. It has enjoyed a surge in local support since the pandemic and prides itself on personal service. PH found out what’s flying off the award-winning shelves according to co-owner Yossi Gliksman.
ON THE WAY UP “Our customers love British made products such as Samuel Groves and Mermaid cookware and bakeware. I was happy to give my feedback for the development of UK made Tala Silver Anodised Bakeware from Dayes.”
UPS AND DOWNS Inset: Japanese Katana Saya knife from Grunwerg.
Facts and stats Looking back “Having to shut the shop in March 2020 after nearly 35 years was frightening and surreal - akin to a Third World War without being able to see your enemy. We kept in touch with our staff on a weekly basis to reassure them we wanted to keep their jobs, even though we were in limbo. The unprecedented help from the government pulled us through.” Inset: Part of a window display at Upstairs Downstairs.
Below: Inside Upstairs Downstairs.
l Situated in the market town of Oswestry in Shropshire, close to the Welsh borders, Upstairs Downstairs Cookshop is approximately 2,500 square feet. It merges with its neighbouring interiors shop, which is 7,000 square feet. l The cookshop stocks ‘thousands and thousands’ of SKUs. l Besides owners Yossi and Raine Gliksman, there are five members of staff, including daughter Libby. “We’re very much a family business,” says Yossi. l The shop took the opportunity to put in some new shelving, displays and carpet during lockdowns.
“Cast iron casseroles are slow sellers due to their high cost and heavy weight, while sales of cast aluminium casseroles are going up.”
In person “Our best recent customers were a couple in their early 30s who spent hundreds of £pounds on British made cookware as well as knives and cutlery. They said they loved the experience and much preferred it to shopping online.”
New to the shelves “Captivate Brands is our newest supplier; we are very pleased with the product range and service.”
Jingle tills Lobbying call “If lockdown happened again, the categorisation of cookshops as ‘non-essential’ should be revisited. As sales over the past two years have shown, people need cookware – it is essential.”
The best thing? “The best thing about Upstairs Downstairs is that we are very personable. We have fantastic PROGRESSIVE
customers, lovely staff and are professional with a human touch. People make friends here and there is a lot of laughter. We take time to understand our customers and treat them respectfully, so people come back again and again. One customer says she has moved here from the south because of us!”
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HOUSEWARES
“Christmas 2021 ended up being one of the best, probably due to our customers’ support, careful and selective stock buying and hard work and enthusiasm from the whole team here at Upstairs Downstairs. Customers came in for our advice, with some saying they had bought online and not got what they wanted. All ages, including younger people, are enjoying the experience of shopping in stores.”