Longton Exchange is excited to announce the return of its highly successful “Win a Shop” campaign for 2025, offering one lucky independent business owner the opportunity to operate a rent-free shop at Longton Exchange for 12 months.

Following the success of the inaugural campaign in 2023, Longton Exchange is looking forward to supporting another local entrepreneur in turning their business dream into a reality.
The 2023 campaign captured the imaginations of local businesses and residents alike, with hundreds of nominations and applications via social media. The winner, Sarah Taylor, owner of So Very Dog Limited / Sew Very Pretty UK, used the opportunity to grow her business, which now boasts a wide range of products, a newly launched website, and a growing team. Sarah and her partner Craig have welcomed two additional staff members to support the continued success of their store, which provides a friendly and welcoming environment for dogs and their owners.

Reflecting on her journey, Sarah Taylor said: “Winning the ‘Win a Shop’ campaign completely transformed our business. We’ve exceeded our expectations, thanks to the incredible support from Longton Exchange. We can’t wait to see another local business benefit from this fantastic opportunity!”

This year, we’re offering the same incredible opportunity to another passionate business owner. The winner will receive a fully rent-free shop unit for 12 months, providing the perfect foundation to grow their brand and attract new customers – all without the burden of rent.

Chris Ward, Centre Manager at Longton Exchange, commented: “We were overwhelmed by the success of the previous campaign, and watching Sarah’s business thrive has been truly inspiring. We are thrilled to bring back the ‘Win a Shop’ opportunity for 2025 and can’t wait to discover which exciting local businesses will join us in this journey. Supporting the growth of independent businesses is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to help them flourish within the Longton community.”

Longton Exchange is dedicated to strengthening the local economy and offering small businesses a platform to grow. The “Win a Shop” campaign is a unique chance for a local business to shine in the heart of Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, connecting with the community and attracting new customers.

To ensure a fair and thorough selection process, a judging panel has been established, including Sarah Taylor from So Very Dog Limited / Sew Very Pretty UK, as well as other local business leaders and community figures. While members of the public can nominate their favourite businesses by tagging them on social media, only businesses themselves can complete the official entry form, available on the Longton Exchange website.