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Entrepreneur expands business to launch independent gift shop in Newcastle City Centre

Northern entrepreneur Sean Gerrie has launched a new independent gift shop, UpSide Down Presents, in the heart of Newcastle’s historic downtown.

Shop owner Sean has a First Class BSc (Hons) Internet Computing degree, and has spent the last 5 years helping other businesses grow online.

The gift shop sells a range of presents, mainly locally sourced such as Geordie candles, plaques, prints and cards, even locally made dog food.

There are lots of non-Geordie related goods too, with festive examples including Christmas decorations, rare unusual stocking fillers for those hard to buy for and more.

However, UpSide Down Presents is not just a gift shop. The business is now fast becoming known for its original card range.

Moreover, the company also sells advertising for local businesses and is making online orderingavailable shortly too.

Sean hopes to soon take on an apprentice to help, and is already planning ahead for Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, Easter and beyond.

With an UpSide down Christmas tree and window display, the local business is an attractive prospect for passing trade.

Plus, with a handmade lego Angel of the North donning the tip of the UpSide Christmas Tree, this alone is enough reason to visit 61 Side.

Sean Gerrie told Bdaily: “Going from webmaster to shop owner may seem a big leap, but there are lots of transferable essences for both offline and online businesses.

“I was looking to sell tangible products online and for an office space, the unit in Newcastle provided me the best of both worlds, a gateway to establish online and within the real world parameters so to speak.”

“I can’t compete on sheer scale and size, both physically or financially, so stocking highly original cards and creative gifts is what makes the shop tick many people’s shopping lists”.

“Many think it’s quite counter-intuitive to open a shop first nowadays, but I feel getting it right on the ground is important, then building online is a great way to make it work as eventually revenue to sustain the business is coming from multiple channels, with a more natural fit for everyone as well.”

The shop is located towards the bottom of Dean Street, near the castle Keep and Tyne Bridge, or, “just doon Dean street next to wor Castle Keep and Tyne Bridge” as Sean described!

UpSide Down Presents are on Facebook, Twitter and have their own website: http://61side.co.uk/.

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