Graham Soult FIPM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
Retail Cupid 💘, high street champion, Fellow of the Institute of Place Management (IPM), Durham Business Group chairman. BBC: "The North East's best-known retail expert". Učim se slovenščino! https://www.cannyinsights.com/
Pinned
East Sussex high-street businesses 👇
Free workshops + one-to-one support are on the way. Dates soon. Register interest:
www.cannyinsights.com/high-street-...
#HighStreetBoost #HighStreets #EastSussex
Free workshops + one-to-one support are on the way. Dates soon. Register interest:
www.cannyinsights.com/high-street-...
#HighStreetBoost #HighStreets #EastSussex
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
Enjoying the way that #SpaldingBID has been playing their cards this year. They have more up their sleeve than we could ever guessed in those early days of court challenges against the founding vote. Let's hope one day we have a town centre of which we can be truly proud.
Enjoying the way that #SpaldingBID has been playing their cards this year. They have more up their sleeve than we could ever guessed in those early days of court challenges against the founding vote. Let's hope one day we have a town centre of which we can be truly proud.
February 18, 2026 at 8:31 AM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
Enjoying the way that #SpaldingBID has been playing their cards this year. They have more up their sleeve than we could ever guessed in those early days of court challenges against the founding vote. Let's hope one day we have a town centre of which we can be truly proud.
Enjoying the way that #SpaldingBID has been playing their cards this year. They have more up their sleeve than we could ever guessed in those early days of court challenges against the founding vote. Let's hope one day we have a town centre of which we can be truly proud.
Free High Street Boost workshop announced for Bexhill businesses
Independent businesses in Bexhill can sign up for a free High Street Boost workshop on 10 March and follow-up one-to-one retail support.
Independent businesses in Bexhill can sign up for a free High Street Boost workshop on 10 March and follow-up one-to-one retail support.
Free High Street Boost workshop announced for Bexhill businesses
Independent businesses in Bexhill can sign up for a free High Street Boost workshop on 10 March and follow-up one-to-one retail support.
www.cannyinsights.com
February 16, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Free High Street Boost workshop announced for Bexhill businesses
Independent businesses in Bexhill can sign up for a free High Street Boost workshop on 10 March and follow-up one-to-one retail support.
Independent businesses in Bexhill can sign up for a free High Street Boost workshop on 10 March and follow-up one-to-one retail support.
Retail specialist featured in national TV documentaries to host Lewes workshop
Free High Street Boost workshop at Lewes Town Hall on 24 February to be followed by one-to-one support visits.
Free High Street Boost workshop at Lewes Town Hall on 24 February to be followed by one-to-one support visits.
Retail specialist featured in national TV documentaries to host Lewes workshop
Free High Street Boost workshop at Lewes Town Hall on 24 February to be followed by one-to-one support visits.
www.cannyinsights.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:16 PM
Retail specialist featured in national TV documentaries to host Lewes workshop
Free High Street Boost workshop at Lewes Town Hall on 24 February to be followed by one-to-one support visits.
Free High Street Boost workshop at Lewes Town Hall on 24 February to be followed by one-to-one support visits.
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Hero of the day. Tony Slater, who rummaged through discarded McDonald’s litter on verge, found a receipt, contacted the local environmental health officer. Who contacted McD, who used CCTV to work out the car responsible.
Result: £500 fine. 💥
(Via @thetimes.com)
Result: £500 fine. 💥
(Via @thetimes.com)
January 29, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Hero of the day. Tony Slater, who rummaged through discarded McDonald’s litter on verge, found a receipt, contacted the local environmental health officer. Who contacted McD, who used CCTV to work out the car responsible.
Result: £500 fine. 💥
(Via @thetimes.com)
Result: £500 fine. 💥
(Via @thetimes.com)
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
I don't often lavish praise but this #HelloSpalding app is the best promotional tool for the town that I've ever seen! I need to lie down now to get over the excitement!
#Spalding #SHollandDC #SpaldingBID #SarahFletcher
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@spaldingvoice.bsky.social
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
#Spalding #SHollandDC #SpaldingBID #SarahFletcher
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@spaldingvoice.bsky.social
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
I'm very impressed by the new 'Hello Spalding' app which I've just uploaded to my phone. It was launched by the #SpaldingBID people earlier this month - sorry I missed the launch, my attention must have been elsewhere:
www.facebook.com/hellospalding
www.facebook.com/hellospalding
January 27, 2026 at 6:43 PM
I don't often lavish praise but this #HelloSpalding app is the best promotional tool for the town that I've ever seen! I need to lie down now to get over the excitement!
#Spalding #SHollandDC #SpaldingBID #SarahFletcher
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@spaldingvoice.bsky.social
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
#Spalding #SHollandDC #SpaldingBID #SarahFletcher
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@spaldingvoice.bsky.social
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
East Sussex high-street businesses 👇
Free workshops + one-to-one support are on the way. Dates soon. Register interest:
www.cannyinsights.com/high-street-...
#HighStreetBoost #HighStreets #EastSussex
Free workshops + one-to-one support are on the way. Dates soon. Register interest:
www.cannyinsights.com/high-street-...
#HighStreetBoost #HighStreets #EastSussex
January 27, 2026 at 12:27 PM
East Sussex high-street businesses 👇
Free workshops + one-to-one support are on the way. Dates soon. Register interest:
www.cannyinsights.com/high-street-...
#HighStreetBoost #HighStreets #EastSussex
Free workshops + one-to-one support are on the way. Dates soon. Register interest:
www.cannyinsights.com/high-street-...
#HighStreetBoost #HighStreets #EastSussex
Leatherhead: first impressions at a moment of change
Seeing Leatherhead through fresh eyes highlights both its strengths and the opportunities ahead as a new BID prepares to get started.
Seeing Leatherhead through fresh eyes highlights both its strengths and the opportunities ahead as a new BID prepares to get started.
Leatherhead: first impressions at a moment of change
Seeing Leatherhead through fresh eyes highlights both its strengths and the opportunities ahead as a new BID prepares to get started.
www.cannyinsights.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Leatherhead: first impressions at a moment of change
Seeing Leatherhead through fresh eyes highlights both its strengths and the opportunities ahead as a new BID prepares to get started.
Seeing Leatherhead through fresh eyes highlights both its strengths and the opportunities ahead as a new BID prepares to get started.
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
🛍️ Staying with LinkedIn, 💯 hard agree with @grahamsoult.bsky.social here... The failures of Claire's and TOFS have less to do with the "health of the high street", and more with the lack of health (and, indeed, lack of relevance) of those two retailers...
#retail #highstreet #highstreets | Graham Soult FIPM | 17 comments
This morning I was invited on to BBC Radio Cumbria to talk about the collapse of the Modella Capital-owned Claire's and The Original Factory Shop, and was deliberately a little more provocative than u...
www.linkedin.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:36 PM
🛍️ Staying with LinkedIn, 💯 hard agree with @grahamsoult.bsky.social here... The failures of Claire's and TOFS have less to do with the "health of the high street", and more with the lack of health (and, indeed, lack of relevance) of those two retailers...
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Marking 10 years of buildingourpast.com - 100 posts focusing on historic shops and retail history.
Today's offering: Saxone shoe shops. buildingourpast.com?p=11352&prev...
Today's offering: Saxone shoe shops. buildingourpast.com?p=11352&prev...
January 3, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Marking 10 years of buildingourpast.com - 100 posts focusing on historic shops and retail history.
Today's offering: Saxone shoe shops. buildingourpast.com?p=11352&prev...
Today's offering: Saxone shoe shops. buildingourpast.com?p=11352&prev...
Smol... like my following on Bluesky! 😁 www.merriam-webster.com/slang/smol
January 2, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Smol... like my following on Bluesky! 😁 www.merriam-webster.com/slang/smol
I could not be more thrilled to share my "Boosting Festive Footfall" film with everyone! 🎬
Working on it with Tees Valley Combined Authority was a pleasure, and the end result is a celebration of #Darlington, of the #TeesValley, and of independent retailers in general.
youtu.be/j_5dDdr9zIo?...
Working on it with Tees Valley Combined Authority was a pleasure, and the end result is a celebration of #Darlington, of the #TeesValley, and of independent retailers in general.
youtu.be/j_5dDdr9zIo?...
Boosting Festive Footfall | Business Tees Valley
YouTube video by Business Tees Valley
youtu.be
December 17, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I could not be more thrilled to share my "Boosting Festive Footfall" film with everyone! 🎬
Working on it with Tees Valley Combined Authority was a pleasure, and the end result is a celebration of #Darlington, of the #TeesValley, and of independent retailers in general.
youtu.be/j_5dDdr9zIo?...
Working on it with Tees Valley Combined Authority was a pleasure, and the end result is a celebration of #Darlington, of the #TeesValley, and of independent retailers in general.
youtu.be/j_5dDdr9zIo?...
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social Plenty of life still on the High Street! 'Retail Cupid' Graham talks with Nikki Clarke OBE about his retail matchmaking - filling six empty units in Durham, after partnering with local council. 39 minutes of discussion. Impressive stuff!
#Durham #RetailCupid #HighStreet
#Durham #RetailCupid #HighStreet
Some thoughts from me in this podcast with UMi!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
Reviving the high street - Graham Soult - UMicast
YouTube video by We Are UMi Network
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:28 PM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social Plenty of life still on the High Street! 'Retail Cupid' Graham talks with Nikki Clarke OBE about his retail matchmaking - filling six empty units in Durham, after partnering with local council. 39 minutes of discussion. Impressive stuff!
#Durham #RetailCupid #HighStreet
#Durham #RetailCupid #HighStreet
Some thoughts from me in this podcast with UMi!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
Reviving the high street - Graham Soult - UMicast
YouTube video by We Are UMi Network
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Some thoughts from me in this podcast with UMi!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwO...
"Independents are rooted in the town, they build relationships with customers and offer delight you can't get on your smartphone."
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Teesside shop owners say it is 'not too late to save High Street'
Retailers on Teesside are being invited to a series of workshops aiming to boost town centre trade.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:18 AM
"Independents are rooted in the town, they build relationships with customers and offer delight you can't get on your smartphone."
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Some comment from me here in this BBC News article about my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops for the Tees Valley Combined Authority!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Still time for #TeesValley retailers and other businesses to sign up for my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops starting on Monday!
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2562147...
#retail #highstreet #highstreets
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2562147...
#retail #highstreet #highstreets
Support package to boost North East high street businesses this Christmas
A new support scheme launched by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority aims to boost high street businesses during the critical Christmas…
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Still time for #TeesValley retailers and other businesses to sign up for my "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops starting on Monday!
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2562147...
#retail #highstreet #highstreets
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2562147...
#retail #highstreet #highstreets
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@springfields.bsky.social
At last, welcome evidence-base study about #SpaldingTownCentre
Town loses est £174m a year as shoppers prefer Bourne, Springfields & Peterborough | LincsOnline | 13 November 2025:
premium.lincsonline.co.uk/spalding/new...
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@springfields.bsky.social
At last, welcome evidence-base study about #SpaldingTownCentre
Town loses est £174m a year as shoppers prefer Bourne, Springfields & Peterborough | LincsOnline | 13 November 2025:
premium.lincsonline.co.uk/spalding/new...
Town missing out on potential £174 million as shoppers are urged to change their habits this Christmas
Consumers are urged to buy local and ditch online shopping as it is revealed that a town centre is missing out on a potential £174.5million a year.
premium.lincsonline.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 2:24 PM
@grahamsoult.bsky.social
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@springfields.bsky.social
At last, welcome evidence-base study about #SpaldingTownCentre
Town loses est £174m a year as shoppers prefer Bourne, Springfields & Peterborough | LincsOnline | 13 November 2025:
premium.lincsonline.co.uk/spalding/new...
@lincsonline.bsky.social
@springfields.bsky.social
At last, welcome evidence-base study about #SpaldingTownCentre
Town loses est £174m a year as shoppers prefer Bourne, Springfields & Peterborough | LincsOnline | 13 November 2025:
premium.lincsonline.co.uk/spalding/new...
As you may have seen, I'm looking forward to delivering eight "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops - in person across the #TeesValley, and online - over the next few weeks. The sign-up link for local businesses is at www.eventbrite.com/cc/retail-wo....
Retail Workshop Series – Boosting Festive Footfall
Free workshops with retail expert Graham Soult to help Tees Valley retailers boost festive footfall, visibility, and sales.
www.eventbrite.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
As you may have seen, I'm looking forward to delivering eight "Boosting Festive Footfall" workshops - in person across the #TeesValley, and online - over the next few weeks. The sign-up link for local businesses is at www.eventbrite.com/cc/retail-wo....
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Maybe go #HighStreetPositives as @grahamsoult.bsky.social suggests: “Retail is a major employer with determined, resilient, innovative people at every level. It’s doing great stuff in challenging times and could make an even bigger contribution to your growth target given supportive policy & regs…?”
November 11, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Maybe go #HighStreetPositives as @grahamsoult.bsky.social suggests: “Retail is a major employer with determined, resilient, innovative people at every level. It’s doing great stuff in challenging times and could make an even bigger contribution to your growth target given supportive policy & regs…?”
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Not really my point. The BRC data show high street footfall up by 0.7% but the article and the headline (especially) is designed not to tell you that.
Whether the data from varying sources differ is a different thing. It os the pushing of a narrative despite the data that riles me here
Whether the data from varying sources differ is a different thing. It os the pushing of a narrative despite the data that riles me here
November 10, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Not really my point. The BRC data show high street footfall up by 0.7% but the article and the headline (especially) is designed not to tell you that.
Whether the data from varying sources differ is a different thing. It os the pushing of a narrative despite the data that riles me here
Whether the data from varying sources differ is a different thing. It os the pushing of a narrative despite the data that riles me here
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
The encapsulation of Britain’s post-industrialised economy morphing into a experiential/wellness one.
Visit the excellent @beamishmuseum.bsky.social, go down a 1910s mine and then luxuriate in Coal Mine bath salts from the gift shop 🧐
Visit the excellent @beamishmuseum.bsky.social, go down a 1910s mine and then luxuriate in Coal Mine bath salts from the gift shop 🧐
October 21, 2025 at 1:49 PM
The encapsulation of Britain’s post-industrialised economy morphing into a experiential/wellness one.
Visit the excellent @beamishmuseum.bsky.social, go down a 1910s mine and then luxuriate in Coal Mine bath salts from the gift shop 🧐
Visit the excellent @beamishmuseum.bsky.social, go down a 1910s mine and then luxuriate in Coal Mine bath salts from the gift shop 🧐
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Proud to reopen our #Nettleham food store tomorrow after 6 months of hard work, after a fire gutted the building - the #LincsCoop team have all pulled together with a pop up shop to support the community while we’ve repaired the original store 🫶
October 21, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Proud to reopen our #Nettleham food store tomorrow after 6 months of hard work, after a fire gutted the building - the #LincsCoop team have all pulled together with a pop up shop to support the community while we’ve repaired the original store 🫶
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
Completely agree! How many developed markets in the world can say this? And not just for customers but also new entrant challenger suppliers: can't get listed by one grocer, try another one!
October 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Completely agree! How many developed markets in the world can say this? And not just for customers but also new entrant challenger suppliers: can't get listed by one grocer, try another one!
It was nice to pop up on BBC Politics North just now, and be described as "a leading retail expert"!
October 19, 2025 at 9:31 AM
It was nice to pop up on BBC Politics North just now, and be described as "a leading retail expert"!
Reposted by Graham Soult FIPM
What a transformation for our #Horncastle funeral #LincsCoop team now relocated into a brand new £1.2m purpose built home to continue to provide outstanding care for our community 🫶
October 19, 2025 at 7:04 AM
What a transformation for our #Horncastle funeral #LincsCoop team now relocated into a brand new £1.2m purpose built home to continue to provide outstanding care for our community 🫶