New Kid on the Block Bus<strong>in</strong>ess of the Month Erase UK An <strong>in</strong>dependent record shop sell<strong>in</strong>g new and used v<strong>in</strong>yl, CDs and cassette tapes has got music fans <strong>in</strong> a sp<strong>in</strong> after open<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the City. The arrival of Stylus Records has been received extremely positively by shoppers who have been flock<strong>in</strong>g to the new shop to stock up on their favourite tracks. The new bus<strong>in</strong>ess has signed a five-year lease on a retail unit at M<strong>in</strong>ster Pool Walk. The 647sqft former yoga studio is located just off the pedestrianised Bird Street, front<strong>in</strong>g the access road to one of <strong>Lichfield</strong>'s ma<strong>in</strong> car parks serv<strong>in</strong>g the city centre, and overlook<strong>in</strong>g M<strong>in</strong>ster Pool and the cathedral beyond. Tim Balderstone, owner of Stylus Records, had been look<strong>in</strong>g for the right space for his bus<strong>in</strong>ess for some time, and was delighted when his dreams of open<strong>in</strong>g a record shop <strong>in</strong> <strong>Lichfield</strong> came true. Open<strong>in</strong>g its doors on 1st December 2022, feedback has been very positive and Tim is look<strong>in</strong>g forward to an excit<strong>in</strong>g future. 12 Tim Balderstone outside his new shop, Stylus Records Local Artist Spotlight Jackie Roberts is a Staffordshirebased artist, liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> <strong>Lichfield</strong>. It was dur<strong>in</strong>g lockdown that Jackie rediscovered her love for art which subsequently led to her leav<strong>in</strong>g her job 18 months ago and sett<strong>in</strong>g up her own bus<strong>in</strong>ess, Love2dream. Jackie’s dist<strong>in</strong>ctive l<strong>in</strong>e draw<strong>in</strong>gs of local landmarks were orig<strong>in</strong>ally <strong>in</strong>spired by the beautiful build<strong>in</strong>gs she noticed around the City dur<strong>in</strong>g her lockdown walks. However, it wasn’t until she drew a picture for her <strong>in</strong>tern as a leav<strong>in</strong>g gift that the idea of turn<strong>in</strong>g her talent <strong>in</strong>to a bus<strong>in</strong>ess came to her. Erase UK, based <strong>in</strong> Tudor Row <strong>in</strong> <strong>Lichfield</strong>, was established <strong>in</strong> 2012 by Gemma Richards. The cl<strong>in</strong>ic offers an array of aesthetic treatments to its customers, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g IPL Hair removal, Radio Frequency Sk<strong>in</strong> Tighten<strong>in</strong>g, ST Tropez Express Spray Tans and aesthetics procedures (which are carried out by registered nurse, Denise Horsley). Gemma started the bus<strong>in</strong>ess as there was noth<strong>in</strong>g of its k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>in</strong> <strong>Lichfield</strong> at the time, and she longed to work <strong>in</strong> an environment where she could <strong>in</strong>teract with her clients. After 11 successful years, the cl<strong>in</strong>ic has built some fantastic long-term relationships with return<strong>in</strong>g customers. Despite f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>in</strong>gs difficult dur<strong>in</strong>g the Covid-19 pandemic due to the cl<strong>in</strong>ic hav<strong>in</strong>g to shut down for a period of time, Erase UK bounced back and now Gemma is plann<strong>in</strong>g to add some brand new treatments to her repertoire! Her advice for anyone look<strong>in</strong>g to start their own bus<strong>in</strong>ess? “Just be passionate about whatever you’re do<strong>in</strong>g. It’s not easy to start a bus<strong>in</strong>ess but worth it with hard work!” F<strong>in</strong>d out more by visit<strong>in</strong>g Erase UK on Tudor Row, or onl<strong>in</strong>e at www.erase-uk.co.uk. Hav<strong>in</strong>g always been quite creative at school, it wasn’t long before Jackie had reignited her passion and her now recognisable style (simple black and white l<strong>in</strong>e draw<strong>in</strong>gs, sometimes peppered with a splash of colour) can now be seen <strong>in</strong> various locations throughout <strong>Lichfield</strong>, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the shop <strong>in</strong> The Hub at St Mary’s on the Market Square, and adorn<strong>in</strong>g the walls of Pom’s Kitchen and Deli on Bird Street. Mak<strong>in</strong>g ideal gifts for the home, Jacke had a fantastic festive season <strong>in</strong> 2022, attend<strong>in</strong>g many local craft fayres where her draw<strong>in</strong>gs were very well received. She even raised £500 for charity through the sales of her Commemorative Buck<strong>in</strong>gham Palace pr<strong>in</strong>t. Now, as a f<strong>in</strong>alist <strong>in</strong> the Ladies First Award for the title of Sandra Godley Outstand<strong>in</strong>g Woman <strong>in</strong> Creative Arts, Jackie is excitedly anticipat<strong>in</strong>g another successful year ahead! You can see more of Jackie’s work, and buy her art onl<strong>in</strong>e, by visit<strong>in</strong>g www.love2dream.co.uk. Alternatively, follow Jackie on Facebook and Instagram @love2dreamdesigns.
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