Concrete Wardrobe

15/06/2020

Good evening ...

Hope this finds you all well under what has been challenging times for all, regardless of individuals personal circumstances we believe this has been a fairly tricky few months to get through, but we are nearly there, with the various phases of lock down being phased out. Onwards and upwards!

However we have some sad news too impart. Due to a set of unfortunate circumstances which were beyond our control, including lockdown, Concrete Wardrobe will not be reopening in its current format when easing of lockdown allows.

After being on Broughton Street for 13 years and in business for a little over 20, we will be gone by August 30th 2020. Without going into too much detail it really was the perfect storm for us in terms of not being able to progress with our much loved business on Broughton Street.

It’s been an absolute pleasure showcasing the best of Scottish based or trained designer makers work since we opened up in August 1999, we have met some amazing folk both as customers and as suppliers, some have been with us from the beginning, others have come and gone, but all have remained firm friends and it’s been a huge pleasure to watch individuals creative practices grow, adapt and flourish. As well as having a devoted local customer base from around the UK, it's also been a joy having repeat custom from folk who have travelled all over the world to visit time and time again over the years to make that special and considered purchase. Thank you.

Also in the 13 years on Broughton Street, it’s been wonderful to watch the street grow and develop meeting the challenges that face independent retail outlets. Despite the terrible start to the year, we really embraced the way everyone banded together to take to task a common foe. It felt good. Highs and lows but no regrets, just happy happy thoughts.

We will be having an “EVERYTHING MUST GO SALE” in July at some point to sell on bits and bobs. This will be announced when we get organised. There is much to do when putting a business on pause.

So we want to take this opportunity to thank EVERYONE who has supported Concrete Wardrobe over the years in buying from us and supporting independent Scottish makers, no matter how big or small the purchase was. Every purchase was appreciated. Thank you.

We may be down, but we are by no means out … we will take time to take stock, reflect and respond. We will resurface and as we always say ONWARDS AND UPWARDS.

Best wishes to you all and thank you again x

21/03/2020

Good afternoon.

As previously stated we live in uncertain times with information changing daily and hourly. We, like other retailers on Broughton Street, have a responsibility to our staff, suppliers and after 20 years in business our very very loyal local and global audience and with this in mind after consulting our fellow retailers have decided to temporarily close Concrete Wardrobe for the next two weeks. We are currently looking at reopening on the 4rth of April, all being well. We will of course monitor the situation and keep you up dated should this situation change.

Unlike other businesses we don't operate an online business as part of Concrete Wardrobes retail activities, this was always a deliberate action on our part as we want to keep the high street alive and vibrant. Co owners James and Fiona also maintain other innovative businesses as part of their creative portfolio of activities, including a teaching practice which will also be temporarily closing as part of this shut down.

So in light of this we look forward to welcoming you all back into Concrete Wardrobe from the 4rth of April. We will of course keep you up to date should the situation change positively/negatively. We didn't open Concrete Wardrobe to support our local independent suppliers 20 years ago to be beaten by a virus. We survived the appalling behaviour of the banks in 2009 or so and we will survive this. We all will! Stay positive and listen to the experts.

In the mean time if any of our fantastic suppliers have any concerns regarding this temporary close down please contact James or Fiona on [email protected]

Lastly if anyone needs an official up date on what we should be doing please check in with our brilliant NHS at - https://www.nhsinform.scot/?fbclid=IwAR2EXdNgUUT_QtWQPhEssTxqlh5_7zQrCBFh08pqM8whQYbBn2XMjv0WGBc

Alternatively call the official Covid19 helpline on 0800 028 2816 ... We just called and were advised that to close today was at our discretion, but would be seen as the correct thing to do regarding self isolation/distancing.

Stay safe.

NHS inform is Scotland's national health information service helping the people in Scotland to make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for

16/03/2020

We live in uncertain times at the moment and information seems to be changing daily and hourly. For what it’s worth we just wanted to let all our loyal customers know that we will be open as normal until we are told otherwise by our government.

Stay safe, check on your friends, family and neighbours whilst maintaining social distancing. Text, call or use notes to your neighbours to see if they need anything. Look after each other and as well as maintaining healthy shopping habits that avoid stockpiling, remember your independent shops, cafes and restaurants in this time of need. We want to be here after this situation passes, so please don’t forget about us.

Stay safe x

14/01/2020

Afternoon. We are on Google and will be promoting our fantastic range of hand made goods by Scottish based and trained makers though this platform to the world. Selling and promoting handmade work seems more relevant than ever. Buying pieces from independent makers takes less energy than a mass production assembly line work, which makes it more environmentally sustainable and we hope you will agree this is more pertinent than ever when one sees what is happening across the planet.

Also if you shop/buy local with us you are not only helping the environment, you are also getting unique products that you wont find in the main stream gift stores.

Keep it local!

Afternoon! Just getting to grips with this new platform (to us!) for those that don’t know this is our 20th year in business and we sell products that are not mass produced and have a real connection with independent makers who are either Scottish based or trained, we specialise in having a narrat...

08/05/2019

Thank you to our chums at Craft Scotland for this brilliant shout out!

Concrete Wardrobe began its existence in August 2000 as a month-long pop-up event set up by award-winning textiles designers, Fiona McIntosh, who herself specialises in print and James Donald, whose own speciality is weave.

After a huge success, Concrete Wardrobe became a more permanent fixture in Edinburgh's New Town area. Specialising in Scottish design-led craft, they sell quality handmade products by Scottish based and/or trained designer makers.

Discover more on our Craft Directory: http://bit.ly/2Wtb2jt

03/05/2019

Looking forward to this delivery! Thanks for letting us know Jenni Douglas!

New block print pattern cuff bracelets heading off to the wonderful Concrete Wardrobe today!
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20/03/2019

A wee taster of what to expect from the Broughton Street re launch after the very disruptive road works we had at the beginning of the year. The flyer and associated merchandise has been dsigned by Edinburgh based https://www.weebluecoo.com/ .... go check them out as they have done a fantastic job on the graphics for this relaunch.

Additional information is to follow on this fantastic event happening over Mothers Day weekend on the 30th/31st of March 2019!

02/02/2019

As you know there has been some serious disruptions to Broughton Street due to essential gas works on Broughton Street ... to be honest its been a nightmare for everyone on the street and it's set to continue for some time.

However the brilliant folk on at Hood magazine, have written a piece about all the street and some of the businesses on the street.... this can be found at the following link - https://www.hoodmagazine.co.uk/blog/where-to-shop-eat-and-drink-on-broughton-street

Please feel free to share with all you chums and help support independent business, we would collectively appreciate this.

We are open as usual!

:)

Edinburgh’s Broughton Street is a haven of independent shops, cafes, restaurants and boutiques, making it the ideal place to while away a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. With a laid-back vibe and community feel, this corner of Edinburgh is undeniably cool both day and night.

22/12/2018

We have a lovely collection of work by Chris Donnelly here at Concrete Wardrobe ..... these generous bowls as illustrated come in a variety of sizes and styles. Just the thing for a warming bowl of soup on a winters day!

Open till 18.00 today!

Just want to flag up one of my favourite purchases of the year. I love the fact that these bowls by gives a very generous serve of soup, just the thing for a cold winters night... no portion control, but who cares when it’s served up in these beautifully proportioned and well made ceramic pieces. I couldn’t be happier with them! has these and other sizes in stock in a variety of designs. I’m REALLY happy with them. made my oil pourer my plate is by Portmerion. Love and enjoy using them all!

14/11/2018

This is a fantastically well written piece on why its important to shop in independent retail spaces .... this part has particular resonance to us here on Broughton St. Edinburgh, Scotland

"Independent shops provide our local high streets with a sense of identity and character, something that should be valued to avoid every city and town centre becoming a string of identical shop fronts."

Please share this article as found on the excellent Edinburgh based "Elk and Wolf" website ....

My experience working for an independent retail business has completely changed the way I shop and how I evaluate my experiences as a customer. Here's why I think your time and money is better invested in independent shopping...