Making Stirling Great Again
BACK IN 2018 an abandoned retail space in Stirling town centre was given a whole new lease of life. 'Made in Stirling' (MIS) opened its doors, providing the public with a completely different shopping experience. Welcoming over 100 local artists from across Stirlingshire to sell their work, this carefully curated 'show and sell' concept, not-for-profit store, sells everything from ceramics and jewellery to food products, photography and fine art, and lots more. MIS began in 2012 as a tiny pop-up shop at the foot of King Street as a project run by Creative Stirling. Moving around the city, evolving and growing, it found its permanent home in 2018 on the ground floor of Creative Stirling's Arts & Culture Venue at 44 King Street.
In 2022 MIS became constituted as a Community Interest Company (CIC) with Paul Jenkins as Creative Director. Along with curators Victoria Bowles and Joanna McCullouch, and a huge band of volunteers, it generates income through the sales of work from a growing collective of artists and makers. It also generates income from creative workshops, events and space hires, including affordable studio and office space for local artists. Originally from Dunblane, and returning after 20 years in London, Paul says 'Here in Stirling, my job seems like the complete antithesis of my years working in design in London. There it was all about fast fashion but here we want shoppers to take their time and invest in unique quality work."
Paul says, "Made In Stirling works a bit like a market, each artist pays rent and then as a whole we help each other in so many more ways than just making those sales; being part of a creative community can inspire so much good work. The growth of Made In Stirling has been phenomenal. We offer something unique, the chance for locals and visitors to take home something hand-crafted that will last, and customers are supporting their local creative community with every purchase.
"Since the 2018 opening, and also post pandemic, King Street has seen a growth in independent businesses popping up around what is now dubbed 'the triangle' of Stirling," says Paul.
This growth was possibly encouraged by big retail businesses abandoning Stirling, allowing for more independents to pop up. Visitors and locals are now looking for more ethical ways to spend. The independent community voice in Stirling has become stronger, and Made in Stirling is at the forefront of this movement, whether teaming up with local stays, making recommendations online or acting as an agency to its creative community, supplying local artists to adorn their walls. People know when shopping with Made in Stirling they are investing directly into our wee city's future.
"In the six years at 44 King Street MIS has trebled its turnover, created more great, exciting jobs at Made in Stirling Store and will have supported more than 350 artists & makers. The Made in Stirling Store has flourished and become a 'go-to' for locally sourced, good design. It has become know as the Heart of Arts in Stirling and has built a loyal local following year round."
Paul continues, "Made in Stirling sprung into action post lockdown. In a world that had become overwhelmingly digital MIS produced a variety of 'in person & live' workshops and masterclasses. Led by its maker, designer and artists community, bringing folk back together. There was a plethora of creatives that had unlocked their artistic side during lockdown, and MIS began curating this wealth of potential talent. The volunteer base grew. More established artists and makers moved 'more rural' away from the trappings of big city living! so we captured those up in our nets too and the support we felt (beyond the till!) the following summer in store and online was unbelievable!
"Made in Stirling Store aims to curate and produce its own exhibitions from within its collective, called Collaboration Exhibitions but also inviting exhibitors to make use of our hirable galleries: the demand to 'hire' one of the three dedicated gallery spaces within the venue at 44 King street has increased in line with MIS producing its own shows. Clients have included Stirling University and Forth Valley College, Scottish Autism, Stirling City Heritage, Europa Music, Stirling Photography Festival, Daniel Martin & Rachel Davies.
"In 2022 MIS began talks with Killin & Ardeonaig Trust (a community trust) regarding the Old Mill, a heritage building jutting out over the falls of Dochart, at the top of the 'high street'. They employed, Made In Stirling as consultants and it was into a 'Makers Space'. By 2024 the Makers Space developed further by converting the first floor of the mill into a dedicated gallery space, also for hire, housing the famous St Fillin Healing Stones.
Regular local artists and makers fluctuate around the 75 mark: with room for more!, says Paul. Then there is the addition of around 40 makers/artists invited from all over Scotland for their seasonal pop up summer and Christmas markets.
The future of MIS is looking bright. There are plans to work with Visit Scotland to offer a unique bespoke 'Stirling Experience' for the tourist market.
Made in Stirling is an excellent example of the local enthusiasm and talent that is available to fill the many gaps in our city centres, and bring
much needed life back to our high streets.
Made in Stirling, 44 King St, Stirling FK8 1AY Creative Stirling – www.creativestirling.org
FRANCES ANDERSON
