A report commissioned by Leeds City Council and Leeds Metropolitan University has praised Fabrication as “a model that could be used to grow the [independent] sector”
“Rising costs, fierce competition and growth of internet sales have taken a heavy toll on the UK high street, with independent retailers coming under increasing pressure.
The report, launched on 25th April, calls for more support for independent businesses in the city
“There’s a real need for traditional business support in the form of mentoring and financial advice, together with more sector-specific support with things like merchandising, customer service and in-store promotion.”
Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for development and economy said “Independent retailers make a major contribution to the city’s vibrancy and attractiveness. We need to support their entrepreneurial flair and, if we are going to reverse the trend of recent years, create more opportunities for independent and small traders to open new shops and succeed, both in the city centre and in local communities.”
Dawn Wood, Fabrication founder, who attended the launch, welcomes the report and calls for more independent retail representation on the city’s retail association.
You can read the press release for the report here.