Northwich Art Shop was established in 1981, with a store being opened at 130 Witton Street, Northwich. Later moving to 167 Witton Steet, before moving to its current location at 111 Witton Street around 1993. The business has changed hands three times in its history. The last time ownership changed was 2014. This successful specialist High Street business is now looking for a new custodian to take over the business and lead it into its future.
The focus of the business has always been of the supply of quality artists materials, initially predicated to support local art education establishments, and now taking a firm place amongst the third age market supporting local amateur and professional artists. We also now welcome a new cohort of young aspiring artists, developing their practice and realising that supporting our independent High Street is important. Northwich Art Shop is well loved and respected locally and nationally, as we are recognised for our accessibility and openness. (through our amazing local art community, in person and online, and our online sales channel https://northwichartshop.com/ ).
Northwich has a sound grounding in the art community, Sir Joseph Verdin built a technical school on London Road in 1897. It became part of Mid Cheshire College in the 1990’s, before moving to the Hartford campus of Mid Cheshire College, which closed in 2018. Northwich is still served well with the prestigious Sir John Deanes Sixth Form College offering a number of art led courses, as well as further tertiary education provision in Winsford and Warrington through the Warrington and Vale Royal College.
Northwich continues to be a vibrant town, with significant ongoing investment in both the town centre and its environs. You can find out more here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwich The town centre in Northwich is independent led and has a wide range of independent businesses along with a mix of National retail. Northwich also benefits from a Business Improvement District (BID) which is provided for the town by Groundworks you can find out more here https://visitnorthwich.co.uk/
The last nine years have been turbulent on the High Street but through determination and community engagement the art shop has thrived. Stocking well respected brands by Sennelier, Winsor & Newton, Golden Artists Materials, Pro Arte and Seawhite, the business offers a mix of materials suited to the amateur and professional markets, the direction of which has been largely driven by recommendations from customers. With there being no immediate bricks and mortar competition (the next art shops of scale are in city centre Liverpool and Manchester). We regularly welcome customers from around a 150 mile radius (sometimes much further!)
Covid had an impact, and we diversified the business introducing an online facility for customers. During the lockdown period we (in accordance with the regulations) established direct to door delivery services over a 30-mile radius. The website now accounts for some 20% of business turnover and regularly sends orders across the country.
Community outreach has always been an important feature. We are active on social media with a Facebook page, and a Facebook community support group as well as utilising Instagram. In addition to this we have a regular Mailchimp newsletter. We promote all local groups activities, exhibitions and events. We also offer support for materials to a number of local artists who run workshops. We have an active involvement with a number of local groups and work closely with Visual Arts Cheshire CIC.
There are many opportunities for Northwich Art Shop for the future. Running only on a four day week due to personal choice this could be extended, there is also an opportunity to develop further community outreach through local artists running classes and workshops. A greater focus to develop the on on-line sales aspect of the business could also reap benefits.
Are you interested in taking on a steady trading ready-made business with bags of opportunities to support and grow with our local community? If this is something that is of interest, please contact Phil by email phil@northwichartshop.com and we can get together to discuss.
