Date: 07/03/2008
Shopping locally can often bring the best of both worlds - especially when it comes to buying bigger items such as solid wood furniture.
For shops, such as Pine +, of Smithy Fold Barn, Smithy Fold, Glossop, offer both ready assembled and made to measure options, to suit a wide spectrum of customers' needs - whether they're searching for a ready-made bedside cabinet or a custom-made four-poster bed.
"When customers come here, they can either order something ready made from a catalogue, or we can make it from scratch, either based on their own design or ours," said David Vickers, who launched the business, formerly known as The Pine Shop, 20 years ago, after being made redundant.
"I think that makes us different, and that is where we score, because I can't think of anywhere else where you can do that. We offer a good range of products and have a wide variety of suppliers, and if we can't get something specific for a customer, we will make if for them, provided the idea is practical."
As an enthusiastic supporter of High Peak Borough Council's current 'Shop Smart, Shop Local' campaign, David is keen to reinforce the message that local shops can offer just as much, if not more, choice and value as the larger chain stores.
He first became involved in making furniture after running an antiques business, Glossop Antiques Centre, at nearby Dinting. "I had always been interested in antiques and antique restoration, got to know about furniture and how it is made, and it developed from there," he said.
Now David, a self-taught furniture maker, runs Pine+ as a family business along with son Christopher, who finishes and polishes the furniture his father makes and also makes mirrors and clocks.
"We can supply virtually anything in pine or oak, including kitchen units custom-made for specific rooms," he added. "With us, it's not a case of adapting standard units to suit the available space, we can make them exactly the right size to provide a perfect fit.
"A lot of customers come to us with their own designs, but we can also come up with our own ideas if they want us to. It's all about being flexible, to meet each client's individual needs."
David believes it is vital for people to support local shops to retain the distinctive character and economic vitality of small towns, such as Glossop. "Bringing in the larger chain stores in bigger shopping developments is a good thing, because it will bring people into the town to shop, instead of going elsewhere," he said. "But it is also important to retain smaller businesses, such as ours, so that you don't lose the personal touch.
"We have customers who have been coming here for 15 years, and over the years, we have developed a personal relationship with them. Continuity is very important in a small place like this, and we need to encourage small businesses that last more than just a couple of years to keep the High Street vibrant."
Harold and Jacqueline France, who moved to Glossop from Romiley almost two years ago, became customers at Pine + on the recommendation of the people, from whom they bought their new home.
"They had some of David's furniture, and we liked what we saw, so we went down to the shop and have been customers ever since," said Jacqueline. "We've had some fantastic custom-made furniture from him for our bedrooms and kitchen, and are highly delighted with both the high standard of workmanship and the service we've received.
"We support local shops whenever we can and do most of our shopping in Glossop, because if you don't, the small businesses disappear and it's such a shame. Shops like Pine + offer that extra touch of personal attention that you don't tend to get in the larger chain stores."
The 'Shop Smart, Shop Local' campaign in the Glossopdale area aims to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of supporting local businesses. Customers can collect a sticker each time they buy something in a participating shop and stick it on a 'passport'.
Passports are available from shops taking part in the campaign, all High Peak Borough Council offices or in the current, Winter issue of the Council's Connect magazine. When one of the sections on the passport is full, it can be entered into a monthly prize draw if handed in at Glossop Municipal Buildings, Buxton, Chapel, New Mills and Whaley Bridge Town Halls, or posted to High Peak Borough Council, Hayfield Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith SK23 0QJ. The final monthly prize draw will take place this month.
Further information about the campaign, including tool kits full of marketing and promotional ideas and ways to encourage people to spend in local shops, are available from Sarah Porru, Glossop Vision programme officer, on 0845 129 7777 or customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk.
Photo: David Vickers of Glossop furniture makers and suppliers Pine+.