Poole's KINGLAND sees 'busiest week yet' as traders praise 'buzz'

Shopkeepers in Poole’s KINGLAND, where the first 10 start-up businesses were offered a unit rent free for two years, said there has “definitely been an increase in footfall”. 

The claim comes a week after TV presenter and furniture restorer Jay Blades opened his new shop Jay & Co in the crescent. 

Steve Wyatt, owner of Restored Retro, collaborated with Jay to open his new store and said there had been a “buzz and excitement” in the area ever since. 

Kingland saw its 'busiest week yet' last week (Image: Daily Echo)

He said: “There has been so much interest since Jay came down. We are having a lot of people come in telling me they have lived in Poole most of their lives but were not aware that Kingland existed. 

“It has been a real positive thing for the area. There has been a lot of negativity about the high street and I would say our crescent is the strongest it has been in the past two years. 

Read more: Online retailer Brakeburn opens its first store in Poole

“There has been a buzz and excitement.” 

Hope Dean, owner of Wild Roots, added the last week had “probably been the busiest week in the past year” for her plant business. 

Steve Wyatt (L) with Jay Blades (Image: Daily Echo)

She said: “Obviously, there was Mother’s Day over the weekend which is a massive factor for us but the whole street has been busy the whole week. 

“Normally weekends are really good but during the last week we have definitely seen an increase in footfall. 

Read more: The Repair Shop's Jay Blades opens first store Jay & Co in Poole

“It’s great and it’s really nice to work together as a team. At the end of the day, if there was just one of us here I don’t think we would all be doing as well. 

“It’s really lovely and we’ve just had a new group of shops with new people coming in, which is great. 

Wild Roots (Image: Daily Echo)

“We all know each other here. I knew some people here before I came to the street and I’d definitely say it is a joint effort here. 

“It’s nice to have independence but also when you’ve had a bad day you can come here and talk to each other and know you aren’t alone.” 

A spokesperson for The Dolphin said they have seen a “notable increase” in footfall the last week compared with the same week last year thanks to the opening of Jay & Co and Boiler Room Records. 

Read more: Four new retailers to open in Poole's Kingland shopping centre

The spokesperson added: “Both opening events were a huge success and it’s been great to see the local community coming down to support the two businesses every day.   

“We look forward to seeing these retailers thrive in their new Kingland homes, adding even more variety to the shopping experience in Poole.  

“Their commitment to these new stores is another great example of how important independent retailers in Poole continues to be.”