A new home for Kildare created brands at Southwells
4th July 2024: For a period of 18 months, Kildare County Council’s Enterprise and Economic Development Department is supporting a retail premises for Kildare-created brands that are members of the LEO Kildare Creative Cluster. Southwells, Market Square, Kildare Town is the new home of GATHER for Kildare-created brands. Gather opening hours will be Thursday to Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.
This opportunity is for creative business owners in Kildare, both established and emerging, and the Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development Team will support each successful applicant to maximise the opportunity. Expressions of interest are being sought for individual brands, or groups who wish to operate from this unit as a pop-up for a 2-month period. Proposals are welcomed from business owners whose product is made in Kildare, or whose brand originates from Kildare.
Last autumn, Kildare County Council’s Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development Department partnered with luxury shopping destination Kildare Village to launch, GATHER – a creative pop-up showcasing the work of 24 of the best craft and design makers and brands from Kildare.
GATHER, a collection of gifts created in Kildare, quickly became one of the highest performing retail opportunities for locally created brands nationally, exceeding €200,000 in revenue for the 24 creative brands it housed.
Designed to showcase the skills and creative brilliance of master crafts people in Kildare, this festive pop-up brought together 24 makers across homeware, fashion, textiles, jewellery, digital print, ceramics, and wellness.
The success of this opportunity now sees the GATHER brand and collective evolving.
Jacqui McNabb, Head of Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development in Kildare County Council said: “From the success of our pop-up in Kildare Village last year, our team were committed to continuing this beautiful concept store. We have found a more permanent residence for our creatives in Southwells, Kildare Town, one which all members of our Craft and Creative cluster can be involved in.”
During November and December 2024, GATHER at Southwells will operate as a Christmas gifting pop-up. All members of LEO Kildare’s Creative Cluster are invited to stock this gift-focused retail opportunity.
For more information about the event, featured artists, and workshop schedules, please follow GATHER on Instagram @gatherkildare or contact the LEO team via localenterprise@kildarecoco.ie / 045 980 838.
