An Irish Rose for Hull

08.02.2010

One of the things Julie Buffey wanted her shop in Hepworth’s Arcade to be when she started out last September was a little different to the common fare. In this she started from the basics, choosing an Irish Gaelic name for the shop, Roisin Dubh (pronounced Row-sheen Dove) which means Black Rose.

“I’ve got the legend of it on the wall here but it goes back to when the Irish were under the British yoke and weren’t allowed to write any political songs, they wrote a lot of love poems and one of the most famous was this song, Roisin Dubh. It’s a kind of metaphor for Ireland itself but it also reminds me of my father who was an O’Neill from Ireland,” explains Julie.

This difference is apparently immediately upon entering the shop with its meticulously presented displays upon the walls, shelves and boutique sized tables. The contents are the real eye opener with a wide variety of gifts and other items including hand stitched pin cushions, purses, door signs from top London designer Gisela Graham, vintage mirrors and glassware, clocks, soya wax candles, photo frames and what Julie says is one of her biggest sellers, multi-coloured soap cakes. Much of it Julie describes as a shabby chic style.

“Basically many of the things on sale offer a nostalgic aspect to them, which often makes them perfect as presents for people, especially if you’re looking for something just a bit different.”

Julie says that changing her window displays on a regular basis means her customers keep coming back.

“I get really excited sourcing my goods and trying to predict what people will like and I find that lots of customers really like to come by regularly and see what’s new in the shop window – at the moment we’ve got a whole lot of things for Mother's Day.”

Julie also said that her shop perfectly complemented Hepworth’s Arcade. “This arcade is one of the jewels of the city centre shopping and each shop along here offers something different to what you can find on the High Street. However I do think we all need to promote it more as a destination for visitors to come to.”

Julie admits that setting up the shop was a big departure from her previous role in human resources of a large organisation but says that she has no regrets.

“I wanted to do something different and something that fitted with both the city and this arcade so this is perfect. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead.”

For more info about Roisin Dubh call Julie on 07796203904 or see www.roisindubh.co.uk

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