Launchpad – meet our finalists!

We are thrilled to announce our two finalists for our Launchpad competition, which will see one local business win the opportunity to trade from a retail unit here, rent-free for six months. The shortlisted brands are clothing label The New Archive and natural skincare business Piotis Naturals.

The two finalists will now go head-to-head in a public vote hosted on the Chantry Place website. Voting opens at 9am on Saturday 2nd May and closes at 5pm on Sunday 10th May, giving shoppers the chance to support their favourite business.

Shoppers will also have the opportunity to meet the founders and experience the products in person, as both brands host pop-up stands at Chantry Place on 9th and 10th May, located outside Boots.

Jo Bates, General Manager of Chantry Place, says: “We had so many fantastic entries, it was really hard to first of all whittle them down initially to six, and following the panel interviews, choose our final two. But Piotis Naturals and The New Archive really stood out to us in terms of the quality of their offering, their genuine passion, and readiness to potentially take on a retail space.

“It’s easy to imagine both brands being successful here in Chantry Place, so I’m glad I’m not making the final call!”

Dr Evanthia Samota, founder of Piotis Naturals, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to be in the final two! We are passionate about bringing our clients exceptional, science-based organic skincare and haircare, handcrafted in Norfolk including locally grown organic botanicals. Through our markets across Norfolk we have built a loyal community who have been requesting a physical retail location for a long time. Having a store in Chantry Place would allow us to finally be there for them and for everyone across Norfolk and beyond who deserves natural skincare and haircare they can truly trust.”

Amelia Wykes, founder of The New Archive, says: “I’m really excited to be in the final two and have the opportunity to showcase the collection to my home town on the 9th and 10th May. My goal has always been to design pieces that create confidence, have an air of exclusivity and inspire. I am thrilled at the possibility of translating our digital world into a physical one here in Norwich.”

Designed to help growing brands take their next big step, Launchpad removes one of the biggest barriers to entering the high street – giving an emerging business the chance to build a physical presence, connect with customers, and grow with confidence.

The winning brand will take over a prime retail space next to Flannels from July through to December.

Hear more from the finalists here. Voting via the Launchpad web page will open on Saturday 2nd May, and a QR code will be located at the pop-ups during the 9th and 10th May.