Newcastle shop owner creates map to showcase area's independent businesses
Posted on in Business News
An indie shop owner in Ouseburn, Newcastle has created a map to showcase the area's independent businesses.
Image: instagram.com/thisisthefind/
Jessica Penrose opened her shop The Find in July 2023, which houses her own vintage furniture business along with the artisanal products of 27 other creators from in and around Newcastle.
And Jessica has now created a map packed with almost 40 small businesses in the area. The map is split into four sections: shops, food, drink, and attractions and activities. She hopes that the map will encourage tourists and visitors to go to Ouseburn and support its businesses.
She said: "Ouseburn is a strange space, it's not a high street, it's an industrial area so it's windy and there are rivers and bridges and hidden roads.
"Some of the businesses you wouldn't know were there unless someone told you, you could easily walk past them. So I thought it would be good to do a map, since my shop's called The Find and it seemed fitting to help other people find good things in the area."
Once the first 4,000 copies of the map are snapped up, Jessica is planning to review and add to the next edition. She also hopes to link up with the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative and Go North East, who operate the Toon Tour, to get more eyes on the maps.
Jessica added: "Talking to other businesses in the valley, they are struggling, and we are taking it week to week, month to month, to see how it goes. I just hope that the map gets people to come down and visit these businesses and support them.
"They're amazing, the level of care and expertise that you find in these places is unreal. I honestly think once people come down and find the businesses, they'll be in love with them, and they'll be back - but they just need to find them first."