Plans to breathe new life into an historic Nottingham street have been boosted with the arrival of an expanding jewellery business.
Katie Freeley is currently fitting-out her new Keishi Jewellery store and bespoke design studio in Nottingham’s Bridlesmith Gate – and will open her doors to the public in January.
Property company ALB Group has been snapping up empty retail units in Bridlesmith Gate, which had become a shadow of its former self due to the closure of a number of key retail outlets.
Arran Bailey, managing director of the Nottingham-based firm, last month announced plans to attract a new generation of independent retailers to the area and create a renewed vibrancy akin to London’s Carnaby Street.
Already, companies like fashion trainer brand Sneakrverse have taken advantage of the more affordable rents and shorter-term leases offered by ALB Group through its agent Box Property.
Mother-of-three Katie Freeley (37), who founded Keishi Jewellery in 2012, says her new premises will offer the kind of bespoke one-to-one consultation and engraving services that a growing number of customers are seeking these days.
“It was so encouraging to see that ALB Group has committed to improving the Bridlesmith Gate area,” she said. “It’s got so much history and it will be great to be a part of something so important.
“It’s a fantastic location and we’re really excited about becoming much more visible than we’ve been before.”
Keishi Jewellery, which provides bespoke goldsmithing, engraving and jewellery design and consultation services as well as selling its own creations instore, has outgrown its existing premises at Cobden Chambers, off Pelham Street, Nottingham.
Katie, from Mapperley, Nottingham, who also runs jewellery company k.fines, which has stores in Nottingham and Lincoln, said the business also prides itself on its green credentials.
“Our inhouse collections are very much sustainable, using recycled gold and silver whenever possible,” she said. “And we are happy to create designs for anyone, whether your budget is £150 or £15,000.”
ALB Group has to date purchased 11 properties in Bridlesmith Gate and a further two units in nearby Lister Gate, including the former Shoezone store, which has now been taken over by indoor axe-throwing range Hatchet Harry’s.
Arran Bailey said: “We are delighted to welcome Katie and her gem of a business to Bridlesmith Gate. It’s exactly the type of business that will help to make this area of Nottingham sparkle again.”
Frankie Labbate, director of Box Property, said: “Arran Bailey’s vision and passion for breathing new life into the Bridlesmith Gate area has been infectious.
“As a result, we’re seeing lots of interest from exciting, independent businesses like Keishi – and before too long, Arran’s dream will become a reality.”
The team behind the regeneration is looking forward to working closely with Nottingham City Council and the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID) programme, who also share the vision for improvement.
