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Market success leads to opening of new shop

Posted onPosted on 7th Nov

Two market traders who took advantage of a Mansfield District Council scheme to encourage new stalls have been so successful that they have opened a shop in the town.

Karen and Pete Parr first took a stall selling giftware on Mansfield Market in February 2017, using a council initiative to have an incubation stall rent-free for a year.

Now, less than two years on, the stall has evolved to the opening of their first shop, McHenry’s, on Market Street.

Karen said they first got the idea for the stall after taking part in a Christmas market at Mansfield Museum in December 2016.

“There was an offer of a free incubation stall for the first year, which encouraged us to start,” she said. “We took up that option and began with one stall, progressing to two after a few months with one fully paid for.

“The council helped a lot. Without that we would not be where we are today.”

The couple started by selling laser-engraved gifts and went on to expand. The next stage was to seek a suitable shop and they came across the “quirky little place” on Market Street.

“We always try to be different and unique,” said Karen. “We wanted to include Vivid Arts products on the market and started with dog ranges, but the big items would have been risky on the stall — a slight wind and they would have fallen.

“The name McHenry’s is a character from the Magic Roundabout — and the name of our dog. We hope the shop will be a magical experience.”

The couple are continuing to run their stall on the market.

Coun Dave Saunders, portfolio holder for regeneration and growth, said: “What a great success story for Mansfield Market and the town centre.”