Inside Hitchin’s free Shop Small Studios opening on 17 August: what residents need to know
More than 20 local creatives are gaining a permanent high-street base as Shop Small Studios opens its new Hitchin hub on Monday 17 August. The opening is listed for 10am to 4pm at 16/17 Market Place, next to Etcetera in the Churchgate Shopping Centre. Entry is free and the venue is open to the general public.
The project brings retail, working studios, exhibitions and workshops into one previously unused unit. It follows the Shop Small Pop Up markets held at Hitchin Town Hall and the Christmas pop-up shops on Churchyard Walk.
A shopfront leading into working studios
The front of Shop Small Studios is devoted to retail space for local makers and designers. Its stated range includes candles, jewellery, stationery, toys, children’s clothing, furniture, puzzles, homeware, art and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, with additional businesses expected to join each month.
Beyond the shop area, visitors will be able to see designers and artists working in open studios. An exhibition area occupies the back of the venue, while a central table will be used for creative workshops. Dates and availability for individual workshops have not been included in the opening information.
Resident creatives named for the permanent hub are Cathy Smale, The Celestial Archive, Kim Raymont, Make Your Own Happy, Rebecca Morgan Garden Design, Squorn-artist and Studio SideFX.
Founder and creative director Jemma Larkin said the venue builds on the pop-up markets and shops that Shop Small has operated in Hitchin since 2022. She described the aim as giving the area’s makers and designers a home while creating a place where everyone can browse.
Opening day and regular weekly hours
The opening information lists the following schedule:
| Day or occasion | Hours |
|---|---|
| Opening day: Monday 17 August | 10am–4pm |
| Monday thereafter | Closed |
| Tuesday–Thursday | 10am–4pm |
| Friday and Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | 10am–4pm |
The separate weekly schedule shows the venue closed on Mondays after the listed opening day. Visitors planning a later trip can check Shop Small Studios’ website or its @shopsmallstudios Instagram and Facebook accounts for current opening and workshop information.
A permanent home after four years of pop-ups
The move changes Shop Small Studios from a series of temporary markets and seasonal shops into a permanent Hitchin venue. It gives participating small businesses a high-street presence without requiring each one to lease an individual unit.
North Herts Council has welcomed the use of the vacant Churchgate space. Executive member for enterprise Cllr Tamsin Thomas said the permanent home would support local traders while bringing more choice to Hitchin town centre.
The listing confirms free public entry but does not provide specific transport or accessibility information. The stated address is 16/17 Market Place, beside Etcetera within the Churchgate Shopping Centre.
Source: North Herts Council News
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The opening details, address, entry status and weekly hours were checked against information published by North Herts Council.
- Checked the listed opening date and opening-day hours.
- Confirmed the Market Place address and Churchgate Shopping Centre location.
- Compared the opening-day listing with the separate regular weekly schedule.
- Confirmed that entry is listed as free and open to the public.
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- North Herts Council News
- Scope
- Hitchin
- Updated
- 2026-08-17 15:29
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