Hexham’s town centre has welcomed many new independent traders over the last year, ranging from an ice cream parlour and a cafe to homeware stores and a handmade jewellery business.
Northumberland Antique Centre, Snap Records, Travels with Amy M and The Garden Coffee House opened at the start of 2024.
The antique centre launched on January 1. Owner Chris Campbell stocks more than 30 sellers across 3,000 square feet at the premises on Hallstile Bank.
Owner of Northumberland Antique Centre, Chris Campbell (Image: Hexham Community Partnership) Snap Records, which specializes in secondhand vinyl, CDs and tapes plus music memorabilia, opened on January 13 in the town’s Market Place.
The Garden Coffee House, based on Hallgate, opened its doors on March 13.
Grant Cameron, owner of The Garden Coffee House (Image: Supplied) Owner Grant Cameron wanted to foster a vintage-inspired atmosphere in the cafe, using second-hand furniture and 70s-style coffee mugs.
Amy Moffatt opened Travels with Amy M on St Mary’s Chare on March 28, selling travel-inspired artwork featuring iconic locations.
Amy Moffatt at her travel-inspired artwork store (Image: Travels of Amy M) The graphic artist then moved her business to 21 Market Place on October 19 to enable it to expand.
The Smashing Burger on Priestpopple saw ‘absolute chaos’ in its first few weeks of opening – in a positive way.
The Smashing Burger on Priestpopple (Image: Natalie Finnigan) The burger joint opened on June 12 on Priestpopple.
Laura Jackson and her partner Pete opened lifestyle and homeware store Grace & Purpose at 13 Battle Hill on June 15.
Jeweller Lolla Mac, owned by founder and jewellery maker, Clare Edwin, opened on June 29 at 13 St Mary’s Chare.
Clare Edwin, owner of LollaMac (Image: LollaMac) She uses traditional metalworking tools and techniques to create texture and form, transforming an unassuming piece of metal into wearable art.
31 Market Place, a pop-up restaurant selling Italian-inspired dishes, was opened by The Beaumont Hotel owners Roger and Magda Davy on July 11.
31 Market Place (Image: Natalie Finnigan) Four Beaumont, an ice cream parlour based opposite Hexham Abbey, was opened by Claire Harijan, owner of the neighbouring Marketplace Coffee on July 19.
Claire at Four Beaumont (Image: Natalie Finnigan) Folklore-based homeware store Lore, on Market Street, was opened on July 26 by owners Steven and Laura Brownsteele.
Lore of Hexham (Image: Natalie Finnigan) The pair had opened Obscuria pottery studio and homeware shop in December 2023 but discovered more space was needed to allow both the studio and the store to grow.
Carol Johnson, owner of HoneyB Flowers (Image: Supplied) Honey B Flowers was opened by Carol Johnson on Battle Hill on October 8. She offers occasion flowers for various events including weddings and crafts bespoke seasonal wreaths.
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Mayor Derek Kennedy at The Range opening in Hexham (Image: Amelia Dalton) The Range, a leading UK retailer of home, garden and leisure items, opened on October 11 at the former Marks and Spencer store on Maiden’s Walk.
Yvette Ja’s new paperwork and origami studio, called Hanji, takes inspiration from Korean art and opened on St Mary’s Chare on November 1.
French & Wilder, which opened at 16 St Mary’s Chare in November 2023, relocated to the Market Place on November 2 2024.
James Spencer opened his art gallery on St Mary’s Chare on November 22 and is a fine artist specialising in landscape and still life.