Meet No.18's Angela Buchan

Angela Buchan of Chapel Street's No.18 Gifts & Cards

‘After graduating in Design at Gray’s School of Art, I began working at Nova, Aberdeen’s legendary shop offering everything from kitchenware to cards, toiletries, games and gifts. I hadn’t been with them long when I was offered the role of buyer. I loved travelling all over the UK and abroad to trade shows. I adored designing the Christmas windows!

‘After 17 years, I was told Nova would be closing and I was to be made redundant. I decided to open my own shop. Within a month of Nova closing, I reopened the card shop area as No.18. I redesigned the interior on a tight budget and used my redundancy payment to buy stock for my own shop. Nova’s management team helped and supported me whilst getting set up. I was determined to open in August as I didn’t want to miss out on the best trading period in the lead up to Christmas.

‘When I’m not working, I love travelling and shopping! Wherever I go, I am looking at ideas for my shop, products, the way things are displayed and I’m forever looking at shop windows. It’s a bit of an obsession! My daughter is at an age where she’s picking out designs and influencing some of what I’m buying. I also love interiors. My home is a haven of comfort where I relax and entertain friends. I love celebrating any occasion and I go overboard with decorating for Birthdays, Halloween and Christmas! It gives me immense pleasure watching my daughter and her friends delight in my creations.

‘As an avid shopper, having my own shop is a dream come true. I love designing displays and buying stock! The window displays are the best way to advertise what I sell. I’m lucky that we have great, experienced and wonderful staff. They’re always smiling and happy to help. ‘At No. 18, we move with the trends and always have some amazing products in store. My passion is for design and fashion so we have a fantastic selection of fashion accessories for Christmas gifting - scarves, hats, gloves, jewellery, bags and ponchos. Hot water bottles and cosy slippers to stave off the cold. We have new ranges of candles and framed prints as well as gorgeous tea towels, chopping boards and mugs. Baby gifts including Jellycat, wedding gifts, LSA glassware and a vast card collection. The stock is ever-changing and always a bit different from other stores.

‘Like every small, independent, business, this is a really challenging time for us. First the pandemic, then a reduction in footfall because people are still working from home. I’ve focussed on finding some really great gifts with great prices this season. We recognise that people are struggling with the rising cost of living and business costs are also spiralling. That’s why we have some beautiful, but practical gifts like scarves, slippers and hot water bottles. Thoughtful gifts needn’t cost a fortune and local companies often have the best bargains.

‘My favourite part of my work is receiving deliveries and getting them unpacked and merchandised beautifully in my shop. After five years in business, it still makes me so happy when customers comment on how lovely the shop and stock is and when they come back time and time again.

‘I’m so lucky that I have such a fabulous team and great customers.’

18 Chapel Street, AB10 1SP

No.18 Gifts and Cards