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A former betting shop in Withernsea has been given a new lease of life, with two local businesses joining forces to bring a fresh shopping experience to Queen Street.
Chewtopia Natural Treats, run by Sarah Chisholm, has moved from one of the new Valley Gardens kiosks into the former Coral bookmakers, sharing the premises with Patchwork and Paw, a countryside and animal-inspired gift shop run by Heather Webster.
The two businesses are independent but complement each other, with Sarah concentrating on pet food and accessories while Heather offers gifts, clothing and homeware with a country theme.
The move also marks a quick expansion for Chewtopia, which began trading from the Coastal Market kiosks earlier this summer.
Withernsea Town Council has welcomed the move as an early success for the kiosk scheme, which was designed to give small businesses an affordable starting point and help them grow.
Sarah said the response to the new shop had been encouraging, and she was already expanding her range.
Alongside natural dog treats, specialist pet food, beds, leads, harnesses and jackets, Chewtopia is branching out into supplies for exotic pets, including live food for reptiles, as well as products for cats, tortoises, birds and other animals.
Sarah said one advantage of having a physical shop was that customers could bring their dogs in to try on harnesses and jackets rather than having to guess sizes when ordering online.
She said: “A lot of people have said the same – when they’ve gone to get a harness for a dog, they’ve got the size that it says is going to fit, and when it comes, it’s too small or too big.
“At least here they can come and try it, which is the whole idea of it. The same with the jackets and everything we’ve got here.”
Sarah is also preparing to open a dog-friendly socialising area at the back of the shop, where owners will be able to sit with their pets.
She said she wanted to create something along the lines of a country store, bringing together a wide range of products under one roof.
“I’ve tried to base it on a country store,” she said. “The only different thing is they don’t have the socialising area. I’ve got enough space, so I thought I’d do it. I’m hoping it takes off.”
Sharing the premises has helped make the move financially viable, with Sarah explaining that bringing Heather on board allowed them to split the costs of a larger high street shop.
For Heather, it is another step in a busy first year of business, having launched Withernsea Tots and Tides in March.
That business will continue operating from its Valley Gardens kiosk, concentrating on beach equipment hire and other family-related services, while Patchwork and Paw offers something different on Queen Street.
Heather said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to be on the main street.
“Sarah’s shop deals with all the food and things for dogs and jackets, and I have the gifts for the human side of the customers.”
The gift shop stocks handbags, scarves, socks, flat caps, candles, doorstops, wheat bags and other accessories, with Heather keen to offer something distinctive.
She said she had been careful not to duplicate what other Withernsea retailers were already selling.
“There’s inevitably going to be a little bit of crossover in a seaside town, but we’ve been very mindful that we’ve got the handbags and scarves and flat caps. It’s a different range of customers.
“There’s room for everyone on the high street.”
Heather, who is also a foster carer, admitted running businesses was still a learning curve, but said she enjoyed developing new ideas.
“I’m learning as I go. I’m very good at having visions and knowing what I want,” she said.
The shop also hopes to support local good causes, including Holderness Hedgehog Hospital and the RNLI, through collection boxes and a planned small second-hand sales area, with proceeds going to the charities.
Heather said: “It’s a community shop for the community. I’m happy to be here.”
The businesses are still putting the finishing touches to their new home, with further signage planned for the new year. Local artist Jill has also been helping to brighten up the shop windows.
The former Coral premises are now back in use after their closure as a betting shop, adding another occupied unit to Queen Street.
Meanwhile, Withernsea Town Council is seeking a new tenant for the Valley Gardens kiosk vacated by Chewtopia, giving another budding business the chance to establish itself in the town.
