Retail. This spring, Hardy Signs has been delighted to be involved with a major expansion and relaunch project for a popular independent retailer in Burton upon Trent.

The Alphabet Gift Shop, in Union Street, has revealed its “bigger and better” new-look retail gift shop and café after extending into empty premises next door.

Due to the high demand from online sales, the company quickly began to outgrow their premises having set up in the town four years ago. In the latter part of 2016, Hardy Signs met with Sue Dorling, who launched the Alphabet Gift Shop and it’s Lowercase Coffee Shop, to create a new scheme of signage to complement the proposed rebrand. As the conversations progressed it became apparent that the premises next door, a former Pizza Hut delivery firm, had been vacated and become available. This now meant that signage for the building as a whole would be required.

Working closely with a newly developed logo and colour scheme – Hardy Signs presented a full suite of signage for both the exterior and interior.

In April, following a week-long closure to allow for the facelift, the store reopened to major fanfare. Mrs Dorling said: “We have a bigger coffee shop and extended the gift shop into the next door space. We have a whole new menu, new toilets, and we have the sofas back. We also have a new cocktail menu and are extending our alcohol menu generally so you can come for a tipple or a coffee”. 

“The new look and the additional services needed to be advertised to those passing by in the town centre” explained Scott Sudale, project manager for Hardy Signs Ltd. “We also had to be careful to stay close to the brand and the colours which are now synonymous with the store”.

“Hardy Signs interpreted our brief superbly – and were very helpful in suggesting materials and design concepts… we really felt confident in the service they provided from day one” concluded Mrs Dorling.