Popular lifestyle store Lavender Moon has achieved a substantial increase in turnover since opening in KINGLAND. The boho country boutique moved from Old Town Poole in April 2024 and has since seen monthly turnover jump from £4,000 to £15,000.
Lavender Moon offers a variety of country and western-inspired clothing such as authentic flares, Aztec jackets, and cowboy hats. It also sells jewellery, crystals, and gifts. Prior to moving to KINGLAND, Lavender Moon had a loyal customer base but faced challenges with low footfall and lack of neighbouring retail.
Owner Bethany Holland believes that her growth in sales is due to the community spirit of Poole’s busy independent heartland, and the growing popularity of country and western fashion in the UK.
Commenting on her success in KINGLAND, Beth said: “I felt both excited and daunted by the prospect of moving store. The shop in KINGLAND is triple the size of where I previously operated from, so the scale-up did feel quite a leap. However, being in an established shopping district in Poole with higher footfall has been transformative for my business.
“I’m so proud and relieved that just six months on, Lavender Moon is thriving like never before. I have been blown away by the response from the community. I’m hugely grateful for the support from my landlord, Legal & General, and its partners such as Nest, that have helped to make KINGLAND the vibrant and dynamic high street it is today.”
Now with increased retail space, Lavender Moon has become Dorset’s first official stockist of Ariat Western, the world’s leading cowboy boot manufacturer.
Poole’s Kingland Crescent was regenerated in 2020 as part of an ambitious and unique initiative by Legal & General. The initiative has provided opportunities and financial support for some of the county’s most innovative entrepreneurs.
Legal & General was the first to create an initiative of this kind in the country and partnered with organisations such as Nest pensions to fund the regeneration project. The Poole district is home to around 130,000 Nest members, making local people everyday investors into the KINGLAND regeneration scheme.
Beth added: “I only recently learnt of Nest’s involvement in the regeneration of KINGLAND and its partnership with Legal & General. I never considered that pensions invested in things like this, and as a business owner who has to pick a pension provider for my employees, it would have made me consider more carefully who I selected, if I did.
“It’s so great to understand more about how this project was delivered and knowing that the local community has contributed in a small way to making it happen, is just fantastic.”
Responsible investment is integral to how Nest invests members’ retirement savings. One way Nest invests responsibly is by considering social issues. Nest believes projects that have a positive impact on local communities and employment are more likely to be profitable in the long-term, helping boost members’ pension pots.
Elizabeth Fernando, CIO of Nest, said: “Legal & General has done a great job delivering this ambitious, but immensely successful regeneration project, and it’s great knowing our members’ money is working hard like these small businesses.
“We want our members to feel connected to their pensions and for them to understand the true power and potential within their pension pots. By investing in projects that regenerate local high streets and support small businesses, they are not only helping to boost the local economy and strengthen community ties, but also helping their pensions pots. Our members should be proud to have played a part in this project.”
As well as benefitting from increased footfall to her store, Beth also attributes part of her recent success to the growing popularity of country and western fashion in the UK.
The entrepreneur said: “Stars like Beyonce and Lainey Wilson have put the spotlight on country style this year, and it’s been immensely beneficial for businesses like mine. Anything with a tassel or a bit of sparkle sold particularly well while Taylor Swift was performing her Eras Tour in the UK!”
Lavender Moon is open in KINGLAND Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and on Sundays from 10am to 4pm. Discover the range online at lavendermoonpoole.co.uk