The Stirling Arcade is quiet at 11 am, with a few passing through the Victorian market as a shortcut. “There was actually someone asleep over there on the chairs when I came in this morning at like 8 o’clock,” Corbett says as we walk towards no.34, “they do open the doors, but nothing in here is open until 10.”
The Arcade is getting ready for a new arrival, though. In the almost empty unit next to Mimi’s, a new front desk is decorated with congratulations cards and a bouquet of flowers. SRTD Vintage (“sorted”) is Sophie Corbett’s first business. “I’ve never done anything on my own before,” she laughs.
Corbett lived in Belgium for internships after graduating from Herriot-Watt University with a fashion communications degree. But when she got back home, she was looking for more fulfilling (and paid) work. “I was finding it really hard to find a job and I was really passionate about how businesses are run.”
First vintage shop in Stirling
Stirling city centre has antique shops, a sustainable reuse hub and a growing list of charity shops, but growing up in Falkirk, the 24-year-old wanted an option for other local vintage lovers.
“Charity shops here are very hit or miss. I always felt like I had to go through to Glasgow or Edinburgh to get any decent vintage clothing.”
The location of the shops in the bigger cities also hike the prices, she explains, “It’s totally fair, it’s so expensive to rent there.”
But with Stirling’s student population, Corbett was questioning the gap in the market. “There are plenty of students here, so why’s nothing catering to them? Stirling’s also trying to become a bigger city of its own. So, it made sense to be the first.”
Targeting a university audience is unreliable when they flock home during the summer, and “it will be a challenge,” she notes. But she has a backup plan – the internet.
For the last year, Corbett has done social media marketing, which has helped SRTD’s online presence before opening. “I’ve had a lot of interaction from people at the university. Just from Instagram, I’ve not done press or anything,” she says.
She has set up an online marketplace on Depop but is working on an official website. It will be UK-wide. “If the shop doesn’t have as much footfall, I have that to fall back on, as well as Depop,” she explains, “it’s not just restricted to Stirling”.
Challenges of being a young businesswoman
Starting a business has not been without challenges for Corbett. “I felt like people thought I was a lot younger than I am,” she explains, often struggling to get taken seriously when applying for business loans and by landlords. “Having a solid plan with all the financials worked out made people believe that I was serious.
“You have to treat whoever’s dealing with your business plan as if they have no idea what a vintage shop is – what the appeal is. You have to really drum in why it’s going to work.”
Beyond age-based assumptions and loans, she feels the pressure of being a sole trader. “Any debt is on your shoulders,” she sighs, “so that’s a big stress, you just don’t get a lot of support doing it on your own.”
Despite these challenges, she has found a strong support system among fellow local entrepreneurs. “Everyone’s been really supportive,” she says, adding that they’ve offered advice over coffee catch-ups.
She is also particularly confident about her business neighbours in the Arcade. “In here it’s mainly women which is really nice, and everyone is very friendly.” She also explains that her social media skills are a welcome advantage to the quiet Arcade – “It doesn’t even have an Instagram,” she tells me.
“There is decent footfall at the weekend, but yeah, they were quite keen to get someone younger and who kind of knows what they’re doing with that sort of thing to try and push it a little bit.”
Launch and opening times
SRTD will be open to the public on Saturday, October 26 after Corbett celebrates on Friday evening with family and friends. She is currently planning promotions. “My branding links to Scotrail, so I’m going to print off little train ticket discount vouchers and hide them around Stirling.”
The shop is also participating in Go Forth Stirling’s Guising day from 12-4 pm, where shoppers are invited to dress up and visit stores to find “tricks and treats”.
She will also be offering a year-round student discount and will be selling both clothing and accessories.
SRTD will be open Tuesday – Sunday from 10 am until 6 pm. Late-night shopping/holiday promotions are also in the works.
You can follow SRTD’s Instagram here.
Featured Image Credit: Leonie MacLeod
Fourth-year English and Journalism student.
News Editor 2024/25.
Get in touch at news@brignews.com.
