We Chat to the Owners of the Tokenhouse as the Shop Turns 50 Years Old

Congratulations on reaching fifty years this year - that’s a brilliant achievement for an independent retail business. Can you tell us a little bit about the early days?
Holly: We initially opened in 1973 over at Tokenhouse yard, just round the corner from here off Bridlesmith Gate, and in those days we sold handmade products and bits of old furniture which I used to restore because at that time it was my job. It just moved on from there really, when we discovered we could buy from wholesalers.
Geoff: The whole thing wasn’t planned. In the early days it was much easier and there was less pressure. The overheads were minimal. Our first shop cost £10 a week and I had a job part time earning £40 a week restoring furniture so we could muddle along. I think if you tried to start the same kind of operation now, in a city centre or even in a Nottingham backstreet as we were, it would be much more difficult. I admire anyone setting out now to start a business like ours. I think we were lucky to start in the heyday of retail when it was fun and inventive in the seventies. You made it up as you went along. It's surprising because quite a few people even now come in and say, ‘oh, I didn’t know you were here’ after five years.

In 2018 you made a move from your original location on Bridlesmith Gate to just around the corner at St Peter’s Gate. How has that worked out for you?
Geoff: The economy had changed significantly. Broadmarsh closing meant that Bridlesmith Gate, in that stage, was suffering, in terms of footfall. Unfortunately, when we came to the end of our lease, our landlord was quite intransigent about the renewal and the rental. So, given the opportunity, we moved, not willingly, but in the end we were quite pleased because this unit is a lot easier to manage. It is more accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs and much more open plan. While the old shop was much more quirky with steps and little rooms, as a shop this one is more workable.    

Can you tell us about some other significant moments in the long history of the shop?
Geoff: Over the years we have been through various turmoils such as floods, power cuts through the strikes and the three day week, but we kept open with candlelights and just any old lanterns we could find. 

Have you ever had any famous customers? What did they buy?
Holly: I suppose when you first opened, Dad, Paul Smith must have bought something from you?
Geoff: He certainly did! He bought some of the vintage stuff we sold, because we were on one alleyway and he had opened a couple years before us on Bridlesmith Gate. In fact, strangely enough when we moved into our bigger shop on Bridlesmith Gate, we actually took his original shop.
Holly: More recently, we have had Jason Donovan who bought a Mother’s Day card which was sweet. We have probably had others but we kind of just leave them alone!

What do you love most about your job?
Geoff: Probably the flexibility. It's really just one huge problem solving exercise so if I wasn’t doing this I would be doing crossword puzzles at home instead. Everyday is different, even though there is obviously a cycle running throughout the year, generally it’s fun and you make it up as you go along. But over the years we have become experienced at repeating what needs doing and when.
Holly: I love the shopping aspect of my job - I get to buy all the nice things and I get to see people enjoy the nice things that I have chosen as well. It's a lovely experience.

What are the best things about being based in Nottingham City Centre?
Geoff: It’s an ideal size. I came from Bristol, which is much bigger and you couldn’t walk across it easier, whereas Nottingham seems to have it all in a contained unit, it's just perfect.
Holly: I went away to Birmingham for university and I came back because I just love everything about Nottingham. I love the independence of it, all the quirky things it has to offer, and it's just a great place to live.

@thetokenhouse