I have an idea that would fill a vacant shop, help one-man/woman businesses get exposure and bring a new shopping experience to the people of Honiton.

I have an idea that would fill a vacant shop, help one-man/woman businesses get exposure and bring a new shopping experience to the people of Honiton.

I would like to share it to see if there would be interested participants.

At the moment I am in the early stages of thinking this through, but in principle my idea would be to get together a few artists/ craftspeople from the local area, including myself, Acorn Stained

I would work in the shop at my business, making items and displaying them, and would also manage the displays of the other artists/craftspeople, selling their items, etc.

However, I will not take any commission doing so, as I know from experience that as soon as a shop does this it can price your items out of the market.

My "reward" would be to divide the business rates, rent, and expenses of the shop among the other display holders: that way they would have a shop which is run for them at a fraction of the cost, and they would not have to be there every day.

If they have a job, for example, they would not have to stop working (many craftspeople have to juggle the two). They may be frightened to take the leap and open a shop, but this way would greatly reduce the risk.

For example, based on a rent of �500 per month, plus rates and expenses, with five people sharing the premises with me, their individual contribution should be no more than �150 per month.

The only thing that I would ask for would be commitment for the period of the lease of the shop, as I would be responsible for the lease: landlords prefer one person rather than many to sign the contract.

Martin Farrant

(Acornstainedglass.com)