Spotlight on Raindrops on Roses 8 Dec 2022
Raindrops on Roses
Raindrops on Roses began in 2012 and became known as the “charity shop with a difference”, a physical store in the city of St Albans just opposite the Clock Tower. We popped in to congratulate them on their 10th birthday!
Celebrating with them (pictured) was Charley from Action Against Cancer and Mayor of St Albans District Council, Cllr Geoff Harrison.
Tell us a bit about you…
I’m Tere Harrington, Retail Director of Raindrops on Roses. I’ve lived in St Albans all my life and love its history, restaurants, and it’s shopping! So, I jumped at the chance to be at the heart of something I really think adds a lot to the city.
Your shop has a unique charitable approach – tell us about it…
Raindrops on Roses was the brainchild of Alison Bainbridge, owner of Kokoro Global – a local market research company. Very sadly, her young niece Nicole passed away from cancer, and Alison became determined to raise money to fund research into the illness. Raindrops donates all of its profits to a charity called Action Against Cancer. So far, our little shop has raised £200k!
What attracted you to open in St Albans?
As Kokoro, our parent company, is based in St Albans it made sense to have the shop here too. A lot of our volunteers live locally and all those connections help build a ‘we’re in it together’ community spirit. Also, it’s a great city for getting immersed in a good shopping trip, and customers say they love finding the ‘gems’ at Raindrops. Our uniqueness is down to another of our missions – to provide a platform for local artists, craftspeople, designers etc. We’ve been wowed by the creativity out there.
What is popular with customers?
Our Raindrops on Roses candles in orange, cedarwood & clove, and bergamot & rosemary are two of our best-sellers. We’ve partnered a local company to produce these so they’re special to us. Children’s, Women’s, and Home products are really popular, and so’s our great collection of greetings cards.
What is the best bit about your job?
I’m very proud to be part of our mission to help beat cancer. Beyond this, I enjoy finding the local or UK-based artists, designers, and potters etc. who give our range fabulous quality and that ‘I haven’t seen this before’ specialness. I love it when I order something I think people in St Albans and its surrounds will buy and then find my instinct was right! It’s lovely when we support fledgling businesses and help them get their products ‘out there’.
What did you do before?
I did a degree in Spanish, Sociology and Business and then became a Research Manager at Kokoro, the company which sponsors Raindrops on Roses. I think this grounding in shopper behaviour has helped me spot things people will love – even if they don’t know it yet!
How can people find out more about you?
Pop into the shop (15 High Street, opposite the Clock Tower) or visit our website, www.raindropsonroses.org.uk. The pandemic gave us the push to launch the transactional website, and this gives us another platform for showcasing our wonderful products!
What plans do you have for the next 12 months?
We’re planning a slight refurb and re-organisation of the store early next year. This will mean new displays at the front and moving a couple of key departments into new positions. Watch this space! We’ll also continue to strengthen our website and search for new and exciting products for Raindrops on Roses made by local and UK based designers, craftspeople etc.
For more information visit https://raindropsonroses.org.uk/