Street has a prestige and family feel that delights businesses and shoppers alike
UNIQUE CHARACTER OF CITY’S SADLER GATE
THERE are few roads in Derby that hold as much prestige as Sadler Gate.
A left turn off the busy Market Place leads you down the quaint street that is brimming with character and history. The stretch has become home for many of the most unique independent businesses in the city, all with their own fascinating and inspiring stories to tell.
The oncecobbled street is lined with some of Derby’s best known independent stores that have served the city and helped to it on the map.
And it is these businesses that the Derby Telegraph wants to celebrate and recognise as part of our Love your Local campaign.
This initiative aims to shine a spotlight on the businesses involved in the independent retail and hospitality industry across Derbyshire, and perhaps no street has championed independent brands over the years like Sadler Gate, in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter.
But what is life like for the businesses that made the decision to set up on one of the city’s best-loved streets?
Alice and the Hair has become an established business on Sadler Gate, having been open in the street for the past seven years. The salon prides itself on providing an inclusive and safe environment for its customers, regardless of age, gender, or background.
“For us, it feels like we’re part of a community and a family, we have good relationships with people in the road. In the summer we’re doing a street party, it’s just really friendly. We all help each other out,” said manager Leah Waggat.
“It’s also really nice when the sun is out. We put chairs out for people to sit on when it’s sunny.”
Some may wonder why a business would choose to set up on the outskirts of the city centre, but Leah feels that despite Sadler Gate’s location, it offers something completely different to a generic high street. It also feels a bit more boutique than the city centre does.
“Once you’re here you can really make something of it. There are also fewer constraints down here on when we open and close. We have a lot more freedom, it’s just great.”
For many it is the prestige and reputation of the street that draws them into setting up there.
Danny Drummond previously ran Threadz from the Market Place but decided to move to Sadler Gate in
September 2020. The 44-year-old said: “I’d been in Derby Market Place for five years, and the landlord [on Sadler Gate] was nice enough to give me a chance when I wanted to take the business to the next stage.
“There’s a bit of prestige about being on Sadler Gate. For clothes, I think it’s the best street in Derby. I used to enjoy shopping here when I was a kid, there used to be roadshow here and everything.”
His views were echoed by Toni McEvoy, founder and owner of The Brow Edit Co, which moved to Sadler Gate just three months ago after leaping to nearinstant success.
The mum-of-two launched her brow business in the outhouse at her Borrowash home in 2019, before moving her growing enterprise to the city.
Speaking on why she chose Sadler Gate as the location for her first store, she said: “For me, it’s a personal reason, the street matched my branding. Everything is timeless and classic. I feel at home here, I feel safe here.
“The street looks beautiful. It reminds me of Chester. It’s like a baby Chester.
“All the businesses on here are really friendly, and we all speak – they’re all wonderful people. I feel like you could go into any shop and ask for help with something and they would. “When I had my official opening in April, a lot of shops actually closed down for an hour to come along and wish me luck. Everyone wants everyone to succeed here.”
It is clear that for the independents that choose to call the street their home Sadler Gate holds a special place in their hearts.
And this is also the case for many living in and around Derby, who frequent the stretch to shop at some of their favourite independent brands.
John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “Sadler Gate has been at the heart of Derby’s retail and leisure experience for decades.
“However, like many traditional High Streets it has suffered, and the pandemic lockdowns really threatened its future.
“Having said that, we are now seeing the beginnings of an uptake – some of our investors have been converting units above the shops into residential use and the street itself is still somewhere to seek independent operators, many of whom are unique to Derby.”
James Howie, store manager at 80s Casual, said: “It’s got a cool vibe to it. We don’t want to be generic and be in a shopping centre. Thursday to Sunday when the bars are open is when it gets the busiest and people are walking down here.”
And with businesses such as Threadz and the Brow Edit Co taking the decision to move onto Sadler Gate during and after the pandemic, the continued interest brings hope to businesses not only in the street, but in Derby city centre as a whole.
It feels like we’re part of a community and a family, we have good relationships with people. Leah Waggat