Popular vintage store relocates to Warwickshire town

A vintage lifestyle store that has been trading for more than two decades in Birmingham has relocated to a Warwickshire town.

Urban Village had been a mainstay in the Digbeth area of the city for 20 years, but it has now opened its doors in a brand new location.

Over the years the store has gained a large following and it is hoped that its customers will be similarly supportive of the new store in Henley-in-Arden.

Owner Frankie Johns made the decision after he took over Henley Vintage in 2019 and then also opened 99 Design back in July.

"We are really excited to be bringing Urban Village to Henley, the vintage clothing will sit very nicely with what we are already doing here and we are sure it will generate more footfall and interest to the high street with its many loyal followers," Frankie said.

"With the two other stores in the town, it made sense to have everything in one place offering a unique shopping experience for all.

 "We closed the Birmingham store down after lockdown and there has been a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to get everything ready and to move all of the stock.

"Over the years we have amassed a very large following, so we are looking forward to seeing everyone again and showcasing what we have available to customers old and new."

Urban Village will be based on High Street in the town, there will be a small store presence on the street and the rest housed in converted workshops at the back.

The store will be selling a whole host of items including a large range of men's and women's vintage clothing dating back to the 1940s along with books, records and collectables.

There will also be a section dedicated to branded clothing with well-known names such as Burberry, Levi's and many more.

Businesses are being now supported by Stratford District Council to promote the safe reopening of the High Streets in response to Covid-19 through the Government's Reopening High Streets Safely Fund which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

European Regional Development Fund

The project has received £116,036 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. 

The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding