Opening a shop was a long-held dream of maker and designer Emilia Hunt, and thanks to help from the Economic Growth Fund, that dream is now a reality.
She opened her self-titled shop on 17 Bell Street, Reigate, in September, selling handmade and bespoke items at accessible price points. As well as her own products, which include homewares, gifts and stationery, she also sells carefully selected items from other makers.
“I know hundreds of makers,” Emilia said. “And I’ve got all the good ones in my shop.”
British made products are the focus of the shop, with three quarters of the products made in the South East.
“Everything in the shop is UK made. I am a real stickler for making sure everything is actually made in the UK. Everything in the shop I have chosen.”
Emilia started her business 10 years ago after taking medical retirement due to cystic fibrosis, and since then has been building a homewares brand which is now stocked in places like Squires Garden Centres.
The High Street dream
It was when she had a small space above an antiques shop that Emilia realised a high-street stop could work.
“You couldn’t see my stuff from the front window,” she said. “Every single person came up and said I didn’t know you were here. But it was so well received. I was talking to my mum and said this could work, people really like it. It needs to be somewhere where people can see it.”
She then found out a shop vacancy was coming up on Reigate high street and made an enquiry with the owners.
“I found out it was very expensive,” said Emilia. “There were two offers higher than mine, but I shared with them my vision and they accepted mine. They’ve given me a chance.”
How the funding has helped
She said she couldn’t have done it without the Economic Growth Fund, which has gone towards helping the shop launch, as well as admin costs and things like a music license to play music on the premises.
On her vision for the shop, Emilia said: “I want it to have a welcoming feel and be accessible for people. I wanted things to be £3.50 and £10, I want people to know handmade doesn’t necessarily mean expensive. It can be done, it doesn’t cost the earth.
“I want to have conversations. I always try to be available for people to ask questions. Obviously, it’s about quality products, but if you make the customer experience the best it can be, that customer is going to remember that and talk about that when they get home, I want people to have the best experience.”
On her advice for budding start ups or established business owners who want to take a leap, Emilia said: “Anyone can do what they really want to do; do some drawing, make something, have a bit more faith in yourself, apply for the funding, see what you can get going. If you have got an idea, just believe in yourself.”
More about the Surrey Economic Growth Fund
Surrey County Council launched the Economic Growth Fund in April 2025 with the aim to support ideas that will accelerate growth, boost innovation and create new employment opportunities.
Approximately £2 million was distributed when the first round of grants was announced in September 2025.
With a further £1 million awarded in round two, the total invested locally in 2025 now stands at more than £3 million.
The Economic Growth Fund is one of several ways the council supports businesses and the regional Surrey economy.
To register for fully-funded support to start and grow a business get in touch via our Business Support Form.
