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Article: Celebrating Shop Independents’ Day 2024 6-7 July 2024

Celebrating Shop Independents’ Day 2024 6-7 July 2024
British Made

Celebrating Shop Independents’ Day 2024 6-7 July 2024

At Seddon and Davison, we are passionate about supporting independent shops and keeping our high streets alive. As proud participants in Shop Independents’ Day 2024 on 6th and 7th July, we are offering a 10% discount on all our own-brand of wildlife inspired homeware products, both in-store and online over the weekend.

Mark Davison and Kara Seddon, the husband and wife team behind the brand, have always championed the importance of shopping locally and supporting the community. "We are incredibly lucky to be in the beautiful locations of Settle and Ilkley in Yorkshire, surrounded by other fantastic independent shops. This weekend is a wonderful opportunity for people to support small businesses and enjoy a more personalised shopping experience," says Kara.

Kara and Mark’s Journey - The Story Behind Seddon and Davison

Mark Davison and Kara Seddon’s journey began with a shared passion for creativity and British craftsmanship. After Mark decided to pursue his love for wildlife and landscape photography at university in 2016, he and Kara, with her keen eye for interior design, saw the potential to transform Mark’s images into unique homeware products. Together, they created a range that combines heritage colours with contemporary designs inspired by the British countryside.

Committed to supporting British craftsmanship, Mark and Kara sourced UK manufacturers to develop their own homeware range. They began showcasing their products at trade and retail events around the country, while Mark was still at university. In 2018 they decided to purchase a house in Settle, North Yorkshire, and began a major renovation to transform it into both their home and their first shop.

Mark painstakingly managed the renovation and undertook the majority of the work himself, uncovering hidden original flagstones and restoring the building's original fireplace features. Alongside the project Mark also completed his degree and the couple continued to exhibit at events in between multiple lockdowns and challenges that Covid brought. The Settle shop opened in May 2022, showcasing their unique homewares and attracting a loyal customer base - both locally and from visitors alike.

They also began stocking complementary brands, offering a curated selection of products that perfectly complemented their own range in a modern rustic style. Building on this success, they expanded by opening a second shop in Ilkley in August 2023.

Why We’re Supporting Shop Independents’ Day 2024

Mark and Kara’s journey is a testament to the importance of independent shops in keeping the high street vibrant and unique. Their story highlights the personalised service, unique products, and community support that independent shops provide.

Recent reports have shown a concerning trend of decreased footfall across UK retail locations. According to the BRC IQ Footfall Monitor for May 2024, total UK footfall decreased by 3.6%, with high street footfall down by 2.7%. The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has expressed concern over these trends, calling them 'concerning' and 'disappointing'.

“As the high street faces unprecedented challenges, it’s more important than ever to celebrate and support small businesses,” says Kara. “Independent shops like ours play a vital role in maintaining the character and vibrancy of our communities. This weekend is a wonderful opportunity for people to support small businesses and keep our high street alive.”

Join us in celebrating Shop Independents’ Day on the 6th and 7th of July. Enjoy an automatic 10% discount on all our own-brand of wildlife inspired homeware products over the weekend. Visit our stores in Settle and Ilkley or shop online to take advantage of this special offer.

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