Like so many other sectors of the economy, retail has been hit hard by the lockdown and its after-effects.
So what’s in store for shoppers returning to Trentham Shopping Village, which has always been seen as something of a shining example of a successful “High Street”?
Here, it’s looking to be more about revival than survival, with footfall gradually returning to a Shopping Village which, as well as reopening, is also showing evidence of green shoots – with one local businessman already having signed on the dotted line, and several others now reported as being very close to following suit.
Peak: Run & Ride– scheduled to open at the start of September – will be no ordinary shop; and is bringing with it its own clear message that retail units in the future may need to diversify in order to succeed.
Sitting under the existing Peak brand established by Audley-based Managing Director Paul Ball, Peak: Run & Ride is set to dovetail perfectly with Peak, which is currently operating in ten different locations in the UK – including the southern entrance of The Trentham Estate, in Staffordshire.
Peak currently operates in three sectors: outdoor adventures in all six locations; education at four independent, Ofsted-registered schools where the emphasis is on an ‘adventurous’ curriculum; and as the largest provider of the Expeditions section of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme.
For a company which employs more than 230 full-time staff nationwide, the new shop opening at Trentham may well be one small step into the unknown, but is also one giant step for Paul Ball.
“We’ve never tapped into retail before” he begins. “But Trentham feels like the perfect fit for us now and will work very well with all other aspects of our existing business, while also focusing on all things to do with cycling and running. Anyone stepping inside can expect to find the highest quality of product for sale here, topped-off with excellent service and advice, along with a full bike-fitting service and gait-analysis. We’ll also be selling vouchers for Peak’s huge variety of activities at out multiple centres”.
He continues: “My business is all about building a community. You won’t find your average, run-of-the-mill sports kit here – it’s all about leading brands, that are a perfect fit for these types of activities.”
Some of those brands, that have already signed-up to be at Peak include: Orange Bikes; Yeti Bikes; Kona Bikes; Asics Trainers; Brooks Running; On Running; Le Col.
Another innovation is the introduction of a “5k challenge” at Trentham, which has already been run successfully at other Peak centres.
Relying very much on an app, which can be downloaded onto smart phones and watches, it takes the form of a “time trial” within a month-long virtual race. Registration to take part has already started – with the “race” itself lasting from July 8 to August 31st. Anyone interested in taking part will find full details at https://booking.peak.co.uk/trentham-5km-race/shr-5km-race/, and on payment of a £10 entry fee will be able to run the course as often as they like to see how far up the leader board they can finish.
Peak: Run & Ride is presently being fitted-out, with a view to it being (literally) up-and-running by September 1st.
Also set to open a shop in The Trentham Shopping Village, is the fastest growing beauty retailer in the UK: Beauty Outlet (https://www.beautyoutlets.co.uk). This business’s vision is to deliver the widest choice of beauty products available at the most competitive prices. Catering for all ages, their teams are trained in offering tailored advice for personal needs – and aim to make a difference to how people look and feel and are committed to a ‘wow’ consumer experience.
The hope now is that these two new shops will be the first of several new faces in The Shopping Village.
To keep up to date with all developments at The Trentham Shopping Village, visit https://www.trentham.co.uk/shopping-village/.