Maybugs in Eastbourne, one of three gift stores co-owned by Greg Rose and John Dale, will be opening a local artisan producer’s market on the first floor of their Terminus Road store, showcasing up to 30 local producers.
Opening in July, the permanent market will be open five days a week and will feature a plethora of local Sussex based producers and a selection of UK made products. It will be free for producers to take a stall.
“We get inundated by requests to stock products from small local and start up producers,” explains Greg. “A lot of the time our business requirements and space availability means it’s not possible us to stock them all, so we thought let’s try to make it easier for these companies to get their products in front of customers by providing a free space which is a step up from your normal craft market.”
The Maybugs Market will be an immersive indoor market experience with a Moroccan bazaar feel. Fabric draped stalls and festoon lighting will adorn the area, making it an attractive place to shop. Each two-metre pitch will be filled by some of the fabulous local producers we have on our doorstep, featuring a range of gifts, crafts, arts, antiques and food. Already signed up are haberdashery, local chocolate and beach craft producers.”
Continues Greg: “When we were starting out with Maybugs, we were given so many opportunities and help that this is our way of paying forward the favour. We hope that locals and tourists alike will love the concept, a permanent base in the town where you’ll find the best of what Eastbourne has to offer. On an average week, we have 5000 customers through our doors, and every day we get asked ‘what’s upstairs?’. We can’t think of a better use of the space.”
While any small business can apply for a stall, Greg says that the main focus of the space is to help springboard producers who have already traded in some way at craft fairs, online via socials/Etsy, and within other pop-up hubs and want to get listings in retail environments.
Alongside the space, Greg and John, with their decades of retail experience, will help to mentor the stall holders, giving them a unique understanding of what they need to do, and how to best approach other retailers to have their products taken seriously.
The only charge to the producers will be a small deposit which will be returned at the end of their booking in full. Everything else will be covered by Maybugs meaning that each producer keeps 100% of their takings.
“We hope that, over time, The Market will become the ‘go to’ place for locals and visitors alike when seeking out that something different, and those who want to support the local economy,” states Greg. The Market will be continuously evolving. There will always be something new to see, as well as themed months and a stunning Christmas market which we are planning too!”
In addition to Eastbourne, other Maybugs gift stores are located in Hailsham and Bexhill-on-Sea.
