The High Street Boost
Helping Stafford businesses to thrive
Are you an independent business looking to thrive in Stafford, Stone, Eccleshall or Gnosall
Town Centres?
Then High Street Boost 2 is for you!
These interactive sessions are led by experienced retail experts, covering everything from digital marketing, through to customer engagement techniques and much more.
Our workshops will help you discover tips and strategies that separate exceptional retailers from the average. You can learn from award-winning experts who’ve been
where you are and know the path to success.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your business operations, attract more customers, and increase your profitability.
Our 2025 Business Boost events will be held at the Posthouse, Greengate Street, Stafford on:
Wednesday 30 July - 4.30pm
Wednesday 27 Aug - 4.30pm
Tuesday 16 Sept - 4.30pm
Thursday 2 Oct - 5pm
Tailored One-to-One Support From Retail Business Experts
In-Depth Guidance
Benefit from a 2-hour diagnostic session of focused support directly at your business premises, with support and backup from our extensive library of resources.
Expertise at Your Fingertips
Learn from the best in the business – our mentors are award-winning professionals with real-world experience.
Customised Support
Choose from up to 5 modules to suit your specific business needs and goals
Convenience
We come to you, delivering support right where you need it most, at a time that suits you.
Access Business Grants of Up To £20,000
We have launched a second round of High Street Boost Grants to support independent businesses. Priority will be given to those located within the ‘high streets’ of Stafford, Stone, Eccleshall. Retail outlets in Trentham Estate and Gnosall will also be considered subject to funding being available.
The aim of this grant scheme is to support our town centres in being more attractive and appealing to the local shoppers and attracting a wider visitor economy.
Attractive, well-maintained shop fronts can draw footfall, enhance the visual identity of the area, and create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors and residents.
Similarly, the interior presentation of shops contributes to customer experience, encouraging repeat visits and longer dwell times.
Applicants will be expected to attend a complimentary High Street Boost workshop.
The Good2Great team is working closely with the council to offer businesses help with the application process.
This initiative offers businesses the opportunity to access funding ranging from a minimum of £2,000 up to £20,000, with a total grant pot of £100,000 available.
The scheme operates on an intervention rate of 80%, meaning the council will cover most of the project costs, while businesses are required to contribute the remaining 20% as matched funding.
Applications are open until 30 November 2025 subject to funds still being available.
Before applying please read our policy here.
Your Retail Expert Coaches
Keli King
Keli is the founder of The Little Green Pantry an eco refill shop in Wellington, Shropshire which she set up during her maternity leave in 2019. She has a BA(Hons) in International Hospitality Management and over 15 years experience in Business Management and training.
Since starting her business Keli has won and been shortlisted for Midlands Green Start Up of the year 2024, Telford & Wrekin High Street Hero, Telford Community Pride Award for Business Champion for Social Responsibility 2022 and was a finalist in Small Award Net Hero 2023, Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Eco Award 2023 and FSB Best Start Up Business of The Year and Sustainability Award 2023.
Rosalie Arran
Rosalie has a background in Visual Merchandising, Presentation, Customer Service, Training and Retail.
She worked within Visual Merchandising alongside high street department stores and major cosmetic houses, which came with wide and diverse environments.
With the careful placement of people and products in an aesthetically pleasing way, together with colour, a theme, use of light and props to create an ambience and emotion, clients are engaged and encouraged to purchase.
“This is why I can often see people’s brands when they can’t see it themselves, enabling me to create images that tell their story about their business.”
Kate Gittins
Kate has been the driving force behind the rise of Shrewsbury Market Hall in her role as Manager for the last 15 years during which she was the winner of Britain’s Favourite Market in 2018 and 2023.
When she took on the market, it was run down, quiet and tired.
Today it is an exemplar attracting visitors from far and wide as well as market experts from all over the UK to witness this vibrant and current offer - proving that anything and everything can be achieved with passion and vision!
Nicola Edwards
Nicola has a background within the retail fuels industry, managing the commercial performance of over 50+ Shell Fuel Stations, driving retail sales, ensuring safety and compliance. Working closely with franchisees, Nicola’s team delivered over £40 million in annual retail sales across the Midlands and Central London.
Nicola also played a key role in the opening of Shell Little Waitrose conversion process, mentoring 17 newly opened store conversions, consistently boosting sales, profitability, and customer satisfaction; strategies which are highly transferable to high street businesses, particularly in the areas of store presentation, upselling techniques, effective use of social media, and enhancing customer engagement.
Roger Boyle
Roger has retailing in his DNA. From helping set up and run a car rental business; to working at Sony for ‘Key regional’ audio accounts, to setting up and running his own Bang & Olufsen dealership in Shrewsbury.
After winning dealership of the year in 2008, he added Sonos, Panasonic and Bose to the offering, re-branding as ‘Acoustic Boutique’ to help customers get the best solution for their circumstances.
Roger has had practical and advisory roles across the retailing and merchandising sector and has worked with major retailers such as Tempo, Scottish Power, Miller Brothers and Hughes Electrical.
Tina Boyle
Tina ran audio/visual shop, Acoustic Boutique, in Shrewsbury with her husband Roger. As well as selling in the shop, Tina was responsible for database management, marketing and accounts.
Prior to this Tina worked for a large blue chip company in several marketing management roles.
Always keen to support her local town, she was part of the Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID) Board for several years.
Together with two friends, Tina has been the powerhouse behind the Shrewsbury Secret Artist Sale - an innovative fundraising and footfall enhancing initiative.
Sally Themans
Sally started life as a graduate trainee with Bass Taverns – the retail arm of Bass Brewers – which saw her involved in operations, purchasing, property and investment within the pub industry.
She has gone on to run her own high street hospitality businesses and now helps a number of High Streets across Shropshire through her work as the ‘High Street Champion’ for Love Bridgnorth, Love Wellington and Love Shifnal.
She won The Great British High Street Award for Bridgnorth in 2016 and was runner up in the High Street Rising Star for Wellington in 2020. She has advised on high streets and place marketing at a local and government level.
Hear From Other Stafford Businesses
We signed up to the High Street Boost run by Good2Great. We didn't know what to expect but can honestly say wow, the help and support we have received from Rosalie has been outstanding. We highly recommend this to anyone wanting to improve their business and get some great advice.
Studio Fresh
I was delighted to discover the Good2Great High Street Boost Scheme. My 1:1 mentoring with Kate Gittins has been excellent and allowed me to clarify my business objectives and promote my business to increase footfall. It’s been really beneficial to thrash ideas around with somebody who has real retail experience who has cast fresh ideas on what I am doing and helped me formulate actions to move the business forward.
I would highly recommend any business, new or old, to take advantage of this scheme.
The Homely Bee
The Stafford High Street Boost programme has been unexpectedly valuable for Johny Todd Ltd and WY Studios.
Our mentor has offered invaluable fresh perspectives, insightful advice and a willing listening ear to the challenges we face as a business. The opportunity to discuss all new ideas and concerns, while reviewing established ones has been both practical and positive, while allowing us take relevant, bold and strategic action with far more confidence.
Johny Todd Ltd
Mini Module Training Overview
It's just window dressing
Great visual presentation, both outside and in, is one of the cornerstones of effective retailing.
Whether you are selling products, services or hospitality there is a great deal of science to planning and implementing effective visual presentation that gets you noticed and makes you stand out from the crowd.
We look at quality enhancers and destroyers, what makes you unique and gets you out of your own space to look at your offer with fresh eyes - your customers’ eyes.
Retail Sustainably
Set goals, manage margins and cash, control costs, grow sales and manage staff to achieve sustainable profitable growth. Armed with these tools make small incremental changes which will boost your bottom line.
If you can’t honestly say that you know how your business is performing because your grip on the numbers isn’t what it should be this is for you. Brushing up on the numbers makes a considerable difference.
Locally Social
Master the power of social media to engage with your customers to grow sales and profitability. Make sure you can be found easily on the web. Currently only 19% of businesses have an active digital presence. In contrast 82% of consumers say digital communication influences their purchasing decisions ( Maybe*, 2024) so there is still time to jump onto what could be your most powerful salesperson…
How to develop relationships and deliver targeted advertising to your existing and future customers. Using tools to take your business online.
Being Big in Your Community
Being an asset to your community is good for the bottom line and the sustainability of your business. Now, more than ever you need to be ‘more than a store’...
Learning how to adapt and thrive in the modern local high street environment needs a different way of thinking - building on traditional principles of serving the community to help you win the hearts and minds of the community.
High Street Excellence
Set goals, develop your marketing, be more competitive, attract more customers and grow sales and profitability. Who it’s for: already trading and you your business can attract more customers and be more profitable but don’t always know how.
Understand what steps you need to take to ensure your business stands out from the crowd. Hospitality retail and service businesses
