Hy, an exciting new pop up venue which provides a showcase for some of the area’s most talented creative businesses, has opened in Stonehaven.
Based in the popular coastal town’s busy main street, Hy was set up by award-winning architect Nikki Ritchie of Hyve Architects to give small, local companies the opportunity to test and sell their products and services on the high street.
Businesses can rent space for a week or a month, sharing the shop with up three others to create an ever-changing, high-quality retail experience. Aimed at all types of creative businesses, early bookings range from photographers and artists to hand-crafted furniture makers, clothing accessories and home furnishings.
Hy has already brought success to its earliest occupants. Flock Home sold all its upcycled furniture within a week while LouSells, who sells designer pre-loved clothing, was so busy that she rebooked an additional slot on her first day there. Several other businesses have already booked slots throughout the year.
Hyve Architecture has its own studios and offices on the top two floors of the building, but Nikki wanted to preserve the ground floor space as a high street outlet.
“Having built my own creative business here, I saw this as a chance to give something back to Stonehaven,” she said. “High streets throughout the UK are struggling and many shops are closing but this means a prominent shop has been retained to bring something new to the town. It’s proving popular with both residents and visitors and it’s lovely to see some of our own clients shop there when they come to see us.
“It’s in a great location, in a busy part of Stonehaven with lots of footfall. The large window frontage gives generous display space and gallery hanging rails for artwork, so it’s always an interesting window to walk past.”
The shop is in itself a showcase to a creative mix of traditional and contemporary materials. It reflects Nikki’s own creative talent and style as an architect who has won awards for her sympathetic and exciting blending of old and new in her conversion and extension projects.
The interior has been stripped back to reveal the original timber linings, shelving and racking have been repurposed from the old bakery which originally occupied part of the building. The old commercial bakery fridge door has been made into a table top with a new timber base designed by Nikki and Lethenty Cabinetmakers. A craftsman from the Isle of Bute was brought in to plaster the  remaining walls and ceiling with natural clay plaster, a recyclable, reusable material which is breathable and humidity and temperature regulating.
The overall appearance space has a contemporary, industrial vibe complete with ceiling pendant lights from Germany and concrete-look ceramic tiles, finished in a modern, neutral style which suits the variety of different businesses popping up there.
Hy, 68-70 Allardice Street, is open seven days a week. For information on opening hours call 01569 763579