Hartlepool mum and daughter open amazing new plant shop after pandemic brought mixed fortunes

Linda and Emily Vaughan have opened Plantopia on the town's Park View industrial estate and is believed to be the first shop of its kind in Hartlepool.

The idea planted itself in their minds a couple of years ago, but it has been the coronavirus pandemic which saw it become a reality.

Emily, 26, was made redundant from her previous job as a support worker, while the lockdown has seen a growth in people spending time and attention on their homes and gardens, creating plenty of demand for their wares.

The shop specialises in indoor house plants from the basic to quirky, along with a wide range of pots and accessories.

Emily said: “We have both always loved house plants and always had them in our homes.

"But we never been able to find a nice place locally that isn’t too expensive that sells what we sell.

"There isn’t any other indoor plant shops in Hartlepool.

"It has been in the pipeline for a couple of years. Due to coronavirus we thought it was the perfect time to start up while we had free time from our normal jobs.

"I was made redundant due to the virus and mam was looking to do this full time instead of going back to her old job.”

During lockdown, Emily and Linda were busy doing doorstep deliveries from sales on their website while they waited to be able to open the shop on Prospect Way.

They opened to customers on Saturday, July 25, and haven’t looked back.

“We’ve been really busy since we opened and have had lots of support from local people," added Emily.

“People have also travelled from Durham and Ingleby Barwick to come and see us.”

They are also supporting a number of smaller businesses by stocking their accessories to help with their exposure.

The shop is open from 10am to 4pm every day apart from Thursdays when it is between 12pm and 7pm.

It is closed on Mondays.

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