Old Town's creative development and collaboration projects

The support from Leader has helped us get started and establish ourselves in our new premises in Köping. Without the support, we would not have been able to get started as quickly with either the establishment or our collaboration project. We started in a space that was empty of soul and charm. Now we have put Old Town's creative stamp on the premises and it is fun to show that you can actually renovate and build environmentally sustainably! – Linnea, Old Town's creative

Old Town's creative is a store and workshop in Köping, which with a consistent environmental and sustainability mindset manufactures, among other things, personal jewelry and leather products, which they sell both in their store, webshop, and through retailers.

The project came about for two reasons: Firstly, that the store needed to develop the new premises, and secondly to create a creative meeting place where local businesses, associations, and residents could meet and grow together. It was something they felt was missing in Köping, and therefore saw an opportunity to both expand their business and contribute to the local community.

In the new premises, the idea was that part of it would become a meeting place for entrepreneurs, associations, and individuals, where they could organize workshops, lectures, and inspiration meetings. In addition, it was also planned for one of the store's rooms to be renovated to be rented out long-term to other local entrepreneurs. The project was approved by the board at a decision meeting in early 2022 and was completed in December of the same year.

The establishment of the new store has led to increased interest from the local community. The store now has an established meeting place where they have started events, as well as being visited by local entrepreneurs and UF companies showcasing their business there. In addition to the initial plans, the store has also made an investment in second-hand clothing. Customers can drop off their old clothes for resale and receive a share of the sales in the form of a gift card in the store, something the owners call a ”win-win for the environment, our customers, us, and the planet!” – and what we at Leader call added value!

All photos: Old Town's creative

”Without the support, we would not have been able to get started as quickly with either the establishment or our collaboration project”