Member Article

Three businesses open at Coventry's Creative Quarter

Three eclectic businesses have opened at Coventry’s Creative Quarter – which is now nearly fully occupied.

Only three of 45 units are remaining at FarGo Village after Project Number 5, Only Girl Worth Chasing and the Bricks Shop opened their doors.

Recent Coventry University student Henry Matthews has launched skateboard and sustainable fashion store Project Number 5 next door to Only Girl Worth Chasing which is run by Alfie Deas selling a wide range of clothes with his branded designs and their neighbours are Adam Trinder and Kirsty Parsons who are opening Bricks Shop as a sustainable interior design space.

Henry, who has just finished a degree in enterprise and entrepreneurship, was inspired to set-up Project Number 5 by his Coventry University lecturer Richard Tomlins.

“I have been skateboarding for eight years and have dabbled in businesses before through skateboard recycling and jewellery,” he said.

“When a skateboarding shop in the city centre closed, I thought there was a gap for a skateboarding store and FarGo Village is a cool place.

“I talked through my ideas with Richard Tomkins and he has introduced me to business networks.

“I’m excited about my shop and I sell clothes from multiple suppliers. I really feel part of a community here at FarGo.”

Alfie Deas opened Only Girl Worth Chasing on his 21st birthday after progressing through the City of Culture’s leadership programme.

The former Finham Park School student said: “My main reason for applying for the programme was because I was really keen to retain talent in Coventry because I feel too many people are successful and then move to London or Manchester.

“I thought having a physical space for my own brand was a great way to promote all the good things that are happening in the city and although Instagram is great, it is easy to forget what you have seen as opposed to going into a shop and seeing and feeling the items.

“I design all the t-shirts, hoodies, caps and bags myself and have two Coventry suppliers – BluDog and Beadlebop Design – who produce the clothes.

“On the first day of trading, we sold 50 per cent of my stock so, along with the online store, it has been a really positive start to business.”

Adam Trinder, co-founder of Bricks Shop, said: “We set up Bricks Shop as a space where people can get creative with their homes by providing a range of interior design items, with a focus on sustainability.

“We have over 10 years of experience in working within the industry and we would like to help people get their hands on some of our favourite eco-friendly items.”

Adam Gudgeon of FarGo Village added: “Despite the fact the economy has been hit really hard by the pandemic, we continued to receive enquiries during lockdown from people wanting to join the wide range of independent creative businesses we have here.

“It is great to welcome Project Number 5, Only Girl Worth Chasing and the Bricks Shop to our Creative Quarter and they are already seeing great footfall to their units.

“The fact we only have three of our 45 units vacant underlines the success of FarGo Village and it continues to be a venue for those who are looking for something a little different and are keen to support the independent creatives.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .