Northampton vintage shop extension makes room for nostalgic event space

A two-storey vintage shop is making its premesis even bigger by converting a neighbouring disused window factory into an outdoor space for 1940s events.

Tucked away in Spring Boroughs is a once-seen-never-forgotten Aladdins cave for vintage lovers. Vintage Retreat opened seven years ago in Lower Harding Street.

Five years on, the shop which stemmed from the owner's passion for art deco interiors, now boasts a tea room, two floors of vintage clothes, homeware and furniture and several event spaces.

Ria said: "The store's success stemmed from the owner's love for art deco and it's great because all of us here now are into different eras.

"There's a bit of everything for everyone and staff have good knowledge between them."

Across the two floors more than 100 traders are selling their wares, which range from antiques to retro toys.

Ria added: "It's a place you can come to all day. It's a destination and a day out, and that's what appeals to people.

"We get a wow reaction from people who haven't been in before.

"It's not a normal shop, there are so many nooks and crannies."

Since lockdown, the tea room, which was formerly on the shop floor has moved into one of the many large function rooms used previously for 'crafternoon teas', wreath making and embroidery sessions.

Now, a large-scale extension at the back of the shop in a former window factory, will allow for street-food markets, a space for live performers and nostalgic vintage events in September.

The first ticketed event in the calendar is 'A Spiffin 1940s Day Out' on September 26 and 27.

The event space is undercover but will be big enough for dozens of people to be socially distanced from one another, with additional ventilation from sliding doors either side of the venue.

Following a risk assessment, the store has decided that people attending the future events will have a wrist band upon entry, will need to follow a one-way entry and exit system and an air-raid siren will tell customers that more people are allowed in.

"The market for vintage events is massive," Vintage Retreat events manager Shirley Rees said.

"We have a large following now because we've been doing them for three years. We started off really small and we've just got bigger and bigger and bigger.

"It's a fabulous space. It's really exciting and there's so much potential for this."