Things British was created to support and promote a community – a thriving network of designer makers from all corners of Britain. From ceramics to furniture, jewellery to glass, metalwork to textiles - designer makers played a massive role in the social, cultural and artistic history of Britain. For centuries Britain was a nation of makers and society was built around such skills. In these modern times, however, life is very different indeed.
Few people today can say that they possess the skills required to make even a basic necessity in life, let alone any niceties.
Practical making skills that formed the basic fabric of our society are disappearing and have all but been replaced by mass production and a society where a "disposable" attitude had become almost standard. It is only in recent times that people have started to think seriously about reviving and preserving these skills - before they are lost forever.
Out of a population of more than 60 million people, less than 0.01% professionally practice making skills today.
Designer makers are a part of our culture and society that need to be recognised and celebrated. Making skills have started to grow and bloom over the last few years. Things British aims to help support, nurture and preserve British crafting skills and jobs and to celebrate our ever-evolving British cultural society. Things British is an innovative, contemporary new business designed from the start to help and support British designer makers by providing a much needed network of retail shops and support. Things British is more than a shop - it’s a gallery, a museum and a fun place to socialise and learn about British craft.
Things British aims to become the largest retail brand destination for things handcrafted, unique and special, backed by an appreciation from the public that eagerly wants to support and buy British.
Selling With Things British
Designer makers, whether full-time, part-time or even amateur face problems with the infrastructure of the industry. Trade fairs, craft markets and some retailers give a platform for showcasing and selling, however, these usually come with either a hefty commission, low trade prices, are too infrequent, or take up a lot of personal time.
Rent Space
Our rental contract provides you with a share of an exciting brick-and-mortar retail environment where you are assigned your own choice of dedicated shelf, wall or table space (see below for the prices). We provide the staff to manage the shop and tend to your customers - so you don’t have to be there. You can also list and sell your products on our website free of charge.
Perhaps best of all we take absolutely no commission on anything sold at the shops or online. You set the retail prices and all the nett profits are yours to keep.
From glass to ceramics, jewellery to paper craft, clothing to toys, artwork to well almost anything handcrafted here in Britain - we showcase and curate your talent in a low-risk professional and supportive retail environment. So if you are looking for an opportunity to showcase new work - test the market, or looking for a more permanent venue to sell your work, then Things British is for you.
British Handcrafted
Your products should be of high retail quality, legally allowed to be sold both in our shop or online, and handcrafted here in Britain. It is ok by us to use materials sourced from outside Britiain if they are not readily available here or if you are a dab-hand at creating amazing assembled products. Things British is about your customers buying your fantastic handcrafted gifts - made by hand here in Britain.
Your products would ideally be based around the £10 to £50 mark, with an average of around £20. Having an economical production-run is ok by us for a product designed here in Britain, but we cannot accept products produced, manufactured or assembled in any way outside Britain.
Lots of Benefits
- No sales commission when a customer purchases your products from our shops or from our website.
- Your own dedicated space to merchandise and brand however you like.
- No long term commitment with our rental agreement with a minimum period of just 4 weeks, however a longer term rental is best to average seasonal sales.
- All electronic till receipts are issued in your brand name - even when a customer purchases from different makers!
- You set the retail price and keep all the net takings.
- Our staff tend to your customers and maintain your space - so you don't need to be there.
- Only £30 to reserve your space then easy weekly or 4-weekly automated payments by PayPal.
- Sell on our website with your very own vendor portal - completely free - and all orders and payments handled by you.
- Weekly (or daily) report automatically emailed to you showing current stock and sales information.
Rental Contract
Your rental contract includes an allocation of space of your choice within the shop. Once we have approved your application we will grant you access allowing you to see what space is available. All available space can be seen in real-time online. All rental bookings are made online.
- Only £30 to reserve your space when you make a rental booking (deducted from the total balance once your rental starts).
- Once reserved we will hold your space for you for up to 7 days giving you time to get ready!
- For those of you who are ready to go you can select a start date of tomorrow!
- Rental payments are sent to us automatically via PayPal every 7 days or every 4 weeks - depending on how long you book.
- We send out instructions and are always at the end of the phone if you get stuck or have questions.
- We operate a strict first-come, first-served system - even for existing customers - so don't forget to renew in time!
- Choose from shelf space (4 rows), table space, sideboard space or garment rail.
Row 1 is above knee height and has a bonus that you can make use of the space under the shelf (where available). - Combine shelves vertically to create a mega-space (such as Row 3 and Row 4) - ask us for a discount!
- Option to have up to 3 pieces (per rented space) in the window display - a great way to let customers see your products from outside of the shop or after-hours.