Desert Island Stores: Richard King, founder of The Cotton Textile Company
Richard King is founder of The Cotton Textile Company and owner of Creek Lifestyle store.
He is from a family of shopkeepers. His maternal grandfather had two newsagents in one of the UK’s ‘new towns’ from the 1960s through to the 1980s and he admits he had a weekly ‘sweety allowance’ when he visited.
His paternal grandfather, and then dad, were both butchers with four shops in East London, but the rise of supermarkets forced his father’s decision to close them in the early 1980s.
In 2022 King and his partner Sam took on their first shop, the Creek Lifestyle store in Blakeney, North Norfolk, so retail and shop-keeping continues in his family for another generation and he would love to see continued success for all independent shops.
Never Miss a Retail Update!The store I remember from my childhood?
Has to be our local DIY shop, where I worked for several years as a teenager… from working there I learnt how to talk to people. I also got better at maths as we were not allowed calculators and I had to manually add up. I learnt the importance of being accurate when measuring, as when you have sawn a piece of wood to length it cannot be put back together!! Jarvo’s DIY was started and owned by a one-armed post-war Barnardo’s Boy who created an emporium that was used weekly by every DIY enthusiast and tradesman for miles around as they were treated with respect, and had their technical questions answered. Sadly this type of retailer is missing from most hight streets now.
The most inspirational store to my career?
Apart from the learning curve at Jarvo’s DIY in how to create a positive shopping experience the most inspirational store has to be Urban Outfitters. When it first came to the UK I was in my mid-20’s and just embarking on what has become a lifelong career producing clothing and textiles for a range of fashion and lifestyle brands. Urban Outfitters felt cool, you could buy an outfit for that evening’s party and at the same time pick-up a new LP and a gimmick for the mantlepiece at home. Cool, trendy, new, retro Urban Outfitters ticked all the boxes at the time and my memories of it are helping me to shape the look and feel of our own shop.
My overall favourite store?
I recently visited Whitby, Yorkshire, and found Furbellow & Co, purveyors of fine things. I love this store. Not only can you have a traditional barbers cut and wet shave you can also buy UK made clothing from the likes of Berties of Bay or treat yourself to a new wallet, cufflinks or bow tie. A shop where you can take your time, enjoy a conversation, and walk out with something of quality and value. Shopping should be a slow enjoyable experience and one that offers an element of surprise, like at Furbellow & Co.
Most frequently used store?
Ebay, because for some reason I have been drawn into the world of online auctions for historical postcards and antique furniture. The postcards started with a need for two or three to create a gift for someone and has resulted in a collection of 300+ very rare photographs. This chase for the ‘auction high’ has also resulted in the purchase of several cars that immediately broke down, various pieces of art that are on display, and a pew that is currently residing in a greenhouse! Either I have too much time on my hands or I have been sucked in by the online monster.
The store you wished you’d created?
Berties of Bay, it is in an amazing position in Robin Hood’s Bay and offers a carefully designed and curated collection of own brand nautical knitwear and accessories. The simple designs ensure that there is something for everyone and that your purchase will last a lifetime and outlive every twist in the world of fashion. This shop ticks every box on my list – aesthetics, environmental focus, brand position, ethics, and meets its mission statement while all the time trading from a beautiful coastal village.
The store I would most like to take to a desert island?
It would have to be the Fowey Trading Company in Cornwall. Offering delicious cake and exceptional coffee, Nicola and Sarah have also created the best chandlery and nautical clothing shop for miles around. Popping in for coffee would mean leaving with a new pair of sailing boots, a fishing rod and a length of rope…every sailor’s dream shop and practical for a desert island as they have all the tools and accessories you would need to create a raft to go fishing from…after all, you would never build a boat as you never need to leave a desert island.
