With the gradual reopening of life in London, this week we were able to open up the shop again at Couture Collective. What a pleasure it is to be able to welcome people back in, to hear how they’ve been, to reconnect. It’s been a long dark slog of a winter, but things seem to be brightening up.

One thing that’s clear is that we need to re-energise our high streets, support independent shops and cafes, and mostly make sure that our neighbourhoods are places where people can meet, gather, and talk.

Public space is the glue to hold us together. Shops that are welcoming – not just to customers and their pets but to any curious visitor – can be places where engaging with each other doesn’t carry a price tag or any small print – it just does what it says on the tin. So we like our idea of a Talking Shop, as a welcoming place, a place to talk shop and so much else.

If you’re in the area, or coming to visit, please stop by and say hi to the Couture Collective creatives working at 659 Fulham Road…and come to our Open Days on the last Saturday of each month!