‘Use us or lose us’: Sale small business owner makes passionate plea to local shoppers

A Sale small business owner is trying to keep her vintage and pre-loved furniture warehouse afloat, but without the community’s support, she will have to close down. 

Touchwood Designs is located on Chapel Road in Sale © Life in Sale

Vicky Mulligan, owner of Touchwood Designs, opened the retro and pre-loved furniture warehouse on Chapel Road in Sale in August 2023. However, since then it has struggled with low footfall and now nine months after opening, Vicky is on the brink of closing down. 

In an emotional plea on Facebook Vicky wrote: 

“Hello Sale… I'd like to make a bit of a plea for help.

The Vintage Retro & Pre-loved warehouse has now been open since last August. Footfall is at such a low that I'm concerned I won't be able to keep it open much longer.”

Vicky Mulligan, owner of Touchwood Designs, can bring old and broken furniture back to life © Life in Sale

Following her social media post, we spoke to Vicky about her difficult situation. 

She said: “The feedback I get from customers has been fantastic, we’re a quirky place and something of an Aladdin’s cave, but I’m just not getting enough people through the door as we’re tucked away on a back street. 

“I’ve tried everything since opening to try and encourage more people to visit; I’ve changed my opening hours to include later evenings and we did open on Saturdays, but nobody turned up, there have been days where I haven’t had a single person pop in. It’s so disheartening. 

“My time in the current location is running out, as they are planning to knock the building down later this year, so while I am looking for an alternative location I would like to have a bit of a boost before I have to leave so I can build up a customer base for the future.” 

The warehouse stocks affordable vintage, retro and pre-loved furniture © Life in Sale

Vicky went on to say that “even a fiver makes all the difference – we’re not talking about huge amounts that are going to make me rich! I’ve slashed prices to bargain levels right now and if people came in, they would see that there are loads of smaller items they can pick up and take home while doing their weekly shopping trip.” 

“I need your help to stay open”

Vicky said the only thing she hasn’t tried yet is being open and honest about her position and sharing it with the local community, which she is now doing. While many business owners would be afraid to admit they are struggling so severely, Vicky is reaching out to let everyone know it hasn’t been easy, but she desperately wants to keep trying.

Touchwood Designs stocks a large range of vintage, retro and pre-loved furniture. Vicky also offers a furniture upcycling, repair and upholstery service. You can purchase an original piece as it is or reimagine it to better suit your personal taste with the help of Touchwood Designs. Similarly, if you have a broken piece of furniture at home that you’d like to revive, Vicky can make it happen. 

The warehouse is full of unique finds, from large furniture items to smaller pieces to add the finishing touches to any home. It's also very affordable – you can purchase high-quality furniture without breaking the bank. 

Touchwood Designs also offers free delivery in Sale on all items of furniture. What's not to like? 

🕙 Currently open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10-4pm and Sunday 11-3pm

📍 Touchwood Designs, 51-53 Chapel Road, Sale M33 7FD (free parking available on-site).

💭 Editor’s thought bubble: Barely a week seems to go by without angry social media declarations of ‘we need more shops in Sale!’ But the shops we already have locally are struggling – it might seem obvious to say, but: if you want shops, you have to turn up and buy from the existing ones!