Push through

Written By Ophelia Gamble

Rural Ramblings are my thing, yet putting words in print has been a difficult exercise, I’ve been quiet for the last few days. Energy levels are nearly on empty, I’m surviving on the reserves. I didn’t know which way to go with my ramblings after experiencing a rollercoaster ride of emotion on the high-streets I am working with in the last couple of weeks.

Sharing time with retailers of businesses that can open and those that are predominantly working a click and collect service has had its deep lows and huge highs. With businesses sustaining financial losses, supply chain challenges, re-scheduled events, reduced physical customer footfall and much more, the need to talk is crucial.

As an advisor and a high-street champion I am amazed on a daily basis the flexibility, inventiveness and spirited nature of the independent retailer. Never before has the need for an omni channel to revenue been needed. The independent retailer is light on their feet, strong and lean like a feather weight boxer. Side stepping, weighing up the opponents weaknesses and all the time keeping their eyes on the end goal. The light of the future just on the horizon, albeit out of reach for now, the road is long, the journey at times daunting, but they are not alone.

The one thing I know for sure is the High-street will push through, with the local community doing the pushing.

Ophelia Gamble

Ophelia has been in the retail industry for over 30 years and knows the sector inside out. She has worked from the ground up and has experience in all aspects of the industry. For years Ophelia has been an observer of the high street decline. In 2011, after a long stint as a business advisor, she launched Ophelia’s Village Market to support existing high streets in the East Midlands to

increase their local footfall and community engagement.

Fast forward to May 2022 and Ophelia has hosted in excess of 500 high street markets and events stretching throughout the UK.

Having worked with many Parish, Town, District and County Councils over the years, Ophelia fashioned her very own special style of delivery. Her business, The Rural Retailer, has successfully been running markets in the East Midlands making sure they are covid compliant and are able to remain open through the most testing of times ever since.

Ophelia’s now, spending most of her working day with place makers in Government and local councils to create actionable strategies that support the UK's retailers, landlords and

communities to have vital & viable high streets once more.

Ophelia has successfully worked with over 1,000 retailers and 600 independent businesses in the last two years, through covid-19s difficult trading landscape and has, engaged and inspired

independent retailers to:

  • level up with their kerb appeal

  • become social on the socials

  • find their passion again

  • get serious about successful retailing

  • set boundaries to maximise time!

  • raise their profile locally

You can count on Ophelia to be 100% by your side.

When not on the high streets of the UK you will find Ophelia

by the sea, probably sipping a Martini on the rocks whilst

collecting sea glass. She loves to paint and de-stresses in the

garden whilst dancing to an eclectic mix of music. Ophelia is

devoted to her family and close friends. Ophelia has a son,

Harry who is her wing man in every adventure that life brings

along. And yes, Ophelia likes Pina Coladas ‘and getting caught

in the rain…..’

SO, OPHELIA IS THE ONE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IF

YOU WANT TO ESCAPE AND REDESIGN YOUR RETAIL!

https://www.ruralretailer.co.uk
Next

Retail Rambles...