Graham Soult FIPM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
Retail Cupid 💘, high street champion, Fellow of the Institute of Place Management (IPM), Durham Business Group chairman. BBC: "The North East's best-known retail expert". Učim se slovenščino! https://www.cannyinsights.com/
Pinned
Project case study: Indie Durham City phase 2 - Retail Cupid - CannyInsights.com Retail Consultancy
Our Retail Cupid work in Durham involves matchmaking occupants with vacant premises, to help businesses wishing to trade in the city.
www.cannyinsights.com
My one day a month of #RetailCupid 💘 work in #Durham is currently running until March 2026, and yesterday I was delighted to hear from another new business that is looking to trade in the city.
Read about how this free support works at www.cannyinsights.com/2025/05/13/p... 👇
Read about how this free support works at www.cannyinsights.com/2025/05/13/p... 👇
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social Plenty of life still on the High Street! 'Retail Cupid' Graham talks with Nikki Clarke OBE about his retail matchmaking - filling six empty units in Durham, after partnering with local council. 39 minutes of discussion. Impressive stuff!
#Durham #RetailCupid #HighStreet
#Durham #RetailCupid #HighStreet
Some thoughts from me in this podcast with UMi!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
Reviving the high street - Graham Soult - UMicast
YouTube video by We Are UMi Network
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:28 PM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social Plenty of life still on the High Street! 'Retail Cupid' Graham talks with Nikki Clarke OBE about his retail matchmaking - filling six empty units in Durham, after partnering with local council. 39 minutes of discussion. Impressive stuff!
#Durham #RetailCupid #HighStreet
#Durham #RetailCupid #HighStreet
Some thoughts from me in this podcast with UMi!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
Reviving the high street - Graham Soult - UMicast
YouTube video by We Are UMi Network
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Some thoughts from me in this podcast with UMi!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
"Independents are rooted in the town, they build relationships with customers and offer delight you can't get on your smartphone."
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Teesside shop owners say it is 'not too late to save High Street'
Retailers on Teesside are being invited to a series of workshops aiming to boost town centre trade.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:18 AM
"Independents are rooted in the town, they build relationships with customers and offer delight you can't get on your smartphone."
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Still time for #TeesValley retailers and other businesses to sign up for my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops starting on Monday!
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2562147...
#retail #highstreet #highstreets
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2562147...
#retail #highstreet #highstreets
Support package to boost North East high street businesses this Christmas
A new support scheme launched by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority aims to boost high street businesses during the critical Christmas…
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Still time for #TeesValley retailers and other businesses to sign up for my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops starting on Monday!
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2562147...
#retail #highstreet #highstreets
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2562147...
#retail #highstreet #highstreets
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@springfields.bsky.social
At last, welcome evidence-base study about #SpaldingTownCentre
Town loses est £174m a year as shoppers prefer Bourne, Springfields & Peterborough | LincsOnline | 13 November 2025:
premium.lincsonline.co.uk/spalding/new...
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@springfields.bsky.social
At last, welcome evidence-base study about #SpaldingTownCentre
Town loses est £174m a year as shoppers prefer Bourne, Springfields & Peterborough | LincsOnline | 13 November 2025:
premium.lincsonline.co.uk/spalding/new...
Town missing out on potential £174 million as shoppers are urged to change their habits this Christmas
Consumers are urged to buy local and ditch online shopping as it is revealed that a town centre is missing out on a potential £174.5million a year.
premium.lincsonline.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 2:24 PM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@springfields.bsky.social
At last, welcome evidence-base study about #SpaldingTownCentre
Town loses est £174m a year as shoppers prefer Bourne, Springfields & Peterborough | LincsOnline | 13 November 2025:
premium.lincsonline.co.uk/spalding/new...
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@springfields.bsky.social
At last, welcome evidence-base study about #SpaldingTownCentre
Town loses est £174m a year as shoppers prefer Bourne, Springfields & Peterborough | LincsOnline | 13 November 2025:
premium.lincsonline.co.uk/spalding/new...
As you may have seen, I'm looking forward to delivering eight "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops - in person across the #TeesValley, and online - over the next few weeks. The sign-up link for local businesses is at www.eventbrite.com/cc/retail-wo....
Retail Workshop Series – Boosting Festive Footfall
Free workshops with retail expert Graham Soult to help Tees Valley retailers boost festive footfall, visibility, and sales.
www.eventbrite.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
As you may have seen, I'm looking forward to delivering eight "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops - in person across the #TeesValley, and online - over the next few weeks. The sign-up link for local businesses is at www.eventbrite.com/cc/retail-wo....
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Maybe go #HighStreetPositives as @grahamsoult.bsky.social suggests: “Retail is a major employer with determined, resilient, innovative people at every level. It’s doing great stuff in challenging times and could make an even bigger contribution to your growth target given supportive policy & regs…?”
November 11, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Maybe go #HighStreetPositives as @grahamsoult.bsky.social suggests: “Retail is a major employer with determined, resilient, innovative people at every level. It’s doing great stuff in challenging times and could make an even bigger contribution to your growth target given supportive policy & regs…?”
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Not really my point. The BRC data show high street footfall up by 0.7% but the article and the headline (especially) is designed not to tell you that.
Whether the data from varying sources differ is a different thing. It os the pushing of a narrative despite the data that riles me here
Whether the data from varying sources differ is a different thing. It os the pushing of a narrative despite the data that riles me here
November 10, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Not really my point. The BRC data show high street footfall up by 0.7% but the article and the headline (especially) is designed not to tell you that.
Whether the data from varying sources differ is a different thing. It os the pushing of a narrative despite the data that riles me here
Whether the data from varying sources differ is a different thing. It os the pushing of a narrative despite the data that riles me here
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
The encapsulation of Britain’s post-industrialised economy morphing into a experiential/wellness one.
Visit the excellent @beamishmuseum.bsky.social, go down a 1910s mine and then luxuriate in Coal Mine bath salts from the gift shop 🧐
Visit the excellent @beamishmuseum.bsky.social, go down a 1910s mine and then luxuriate in Coal Mine bath salts from the gift shop 🧐
October 21, 2025 at 1:49 PM
The encapsulation of Britain’s post-industrialised economy morphing into a experiential/wellness one.
Visit the excellent @beamishmuseum.bsky.social, go down a 1910s mine and then luxuriate in Coal Mine bath salts from the gift shop 🧐
Visit the excellent @beamishmuseum.bsky.social, go down a 1910s mine and then luxuriate in Coal Mine bath salts from the gift shop 🧐
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Proud to reopen our #Nettleham food store tomorrow after 6 months of hard work, after a fire gutted the building - the #LincsCoop team have all pulled together with a pop up shop to support the community while we’ve repaired the original store 🫶
October 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Proud to reopen our #Nettleham food store tomorrow after 6 months of hard work, after a fire gutted the building - the #LincsCoop team have all pulled together with a pop up shop to support the community while we’ve repaired the original store 🫶
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Completely agree! How many developed markets in the world can say this? And not just for customers but also new entrant challenger suppliers: can't get listed by one grocer, try another one!
October 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Completely agree! How many developed markets in the world can say this? And not just for customers but also new entrant challenger suppliers: can't get listed by one grocer, try another one!
It was nice to pop up on BBC Politics North just now, and be described as "a leading retail expert"!
October 19, 2025 at 9:31 AM
It was nice to pop up on BBC Politics North just now, and be described as "a leading retail expert"!
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
What a transformation for our #Horncastle funeral #LincsCoop team now relocated into a brand new £1.2m purpose built home to continue to provide outstanding care for our community 🫶
October 19, 2025 at 7:04 AM
What a transformation for our #Horncastle funeral #LincsCoop team now relocated into a brand new £1.2m purpose built home to continue to provide outstanding care for our community 🫶
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
🇺🇿 I mean, once in a lifetime, amiright?
Tashkent, you have been a joy… Sorry I only got to spend one free evening, but you were a beaut…
Tashkent, you have been a joy… Sorry I only got to spend one free evening, but you were a beaut…
October 15, 2025 at 3:32 PM
🇺🇿 I mean, once in a lifetime, amiright?
Tashkent, you have been a joy… Sorry I only got to spend one free evening, but you were a beaut…
Tashkent, you have been a joy… Sorry I only got to spend one free evening, but you were a beaut…
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Sainsbury’s Marsh Mills. 11 sail-like panels to create a nautical canopy to honour Plymouth’s heritage. Known locally as the Sainsbury’s Opera House
October 12, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Sainsbury’s Marsh Mills. 11 sail-like panels to create a nautical canopy to honour Plymouth’s heritage. Known locally as the Sainsbury’s Opera House
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
The piece went online a fortnight ago, but is in print today.
Here’s a gift link, if you’d like to read free:
Middle-class families are choking on the £100 ‘casual meal out’
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/96d6c66...
Here’s a gift link, if you’d like to read free:
Middle-class families are choking on the £100 ‘casual meal out’
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/96d6c66...
Middle-class families are choking on the £100 ‘casual meal out’
A table for four hitting triple digits is triggering ‘bill shock’, to the detriment of Britain’s best-known restaurants
www.telegraph.co.uk
October 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The piece went online a fortnight ago, but is in print today.
Here’s a gift link, if you’d like to read free:
Middle-class families are choking on the £100 ‘casual meal out’
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/96d6c66...
Here’s a gift link, if you’d like to read free:
Middle-class families are choking on the £100 ‘casual meal out’
www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/96d6c66...
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Waterstones in Bradford 🥰
October 8, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Waterstones in Bradford 🥰
"Anyone who is opening a business wants to be part of somewhere vibrant, supportive and on the up. I have no doubt Bishop Auckland is on the right track."
Some comment from me about #BishopAuckland in @thenorthernecho.bsky.social today!
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2549614...
Some comment from me about #BishopAuckland in @thenorthernecho.bsky.social today!
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2549614...
Bishop Auckland business owners upbeat on future of high street despite empty units
The Northern Echo spent the morning on Newgate Street in Bishop Auckland speaking to independent business owners who remain upbeat despite empty…
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 7:00 AM
"Anyone who is opening a business wants to be part of somewhere vibrant, supportive and on the up. I have no doubt Bishop Auckland is on the right track."
Some comment from me about #BishopAuckland in @thenorthernecho.bsky.social today!
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2549614...
Some comment from me about #BishopAuckland in @thenorthernecho.bsky.social today!
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2549614...
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
St Helier, Jersey October 2025. Very nice work by Hettich in taking over Burton's Art Deco store site. Nice outside and splendid work inside.
Two foundation stones.
Have sent photos below to Laid By Monty for their excellent site
laidbymonty.com
Two foundation stones.
Have sent photos below to Laid By Monty for their excellent site
laidbymonty.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:06 AM
St Helier, Jersey October 2025. Very nice work by Hettich in taking over Burton's Art Deco store site. Nice outside and splendid work inside.
Two foundation stones.
Have sent photos below to Laid By Monty for their excellent site
laidbymonty.com
Two foundation stones.
Have sent photos below to Laid By Monty for their excellent site
laidbymonty.com
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Bet not many of these #Cambridge students realised that Gardenia's shopfront was installed for Lennards (shoe shop) by Pollards in the late 1920s. A tad altered, but recognisable - hope it isn't now swept away!
October 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Bet not many of these #Cambridge students realised that Gardenia's shopfront was installed for Lennards (shoe shop) by Pollards in the late 1920s. A tad altered, but recognisable - hope it isn't now swept away!
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Former C&A. Before that another outpost of the Holdron’s business.
October 4, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Former C&A. Before that another outpost of the Holdron’s business.
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Bit of Peckham Rye art deco. Former Holdron’s department store. Now a tremendous shop in its own right
October 4, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Bit of Peckham Rye art deco. Former Holdron’s department store. Now a tremendous shop in its own right
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
You, a mere beverage simpleton: it’s squash
Me, a sophisticated Aldi shopper: I think you’ll find it’s a concentrated electrolyte water enhancer…
Me, a sophisticated Aldi shopper: I think you’ll find it’s a concentrated electrolyte water enhancer…
October 4, 2025 at 11:39 AM
You, a mere beverage simpleton: it’s squash
Me, a sophisticated Aldi shopper: I think you’ll find it’s a concentrated electrolyte water enhancer…
Me, a sophisticated Aldi shopper: I think you’ll find it’s a concentrated electrolyte water enhancer…
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
September 30, 2025 at 12:15 PM