Newcastle's young entrepreneur Scott Whitehead has taken his passion for fashion from hobby to a booming £200,000 venture with the launch of his inaugural pop-up shop.
Mr Whitehead, 27, has long harboured ambitions of retail entrepreneurship, a dream he traces back to his days selling chocolate bars at school. Transitioning from chocolate to chic, he created the Hideaway Store, capitalising on the market for pre-loved high-end streetwear, rare footwear collaborations and art, securing pieces from both the º£½ÇÊÓƵ and international sources.
His enterprise, which has already amassed around £200,000 in turnover through its online platform thehideawaystore.co.uk, is now taking a physical form with a pop-up store at Bottleworks in Ouseburn, Newcastle. The venue will feature a carefully curated selection of his pre-owned clothing, shoes, and artwork collections.
Mr Whitehead said: "I'm excited to finally showcase to the world what I have in person, it's all about creating that immersive experience."
His journey into retail began at just 14 alongside his twin brother Billy, trading second-hand T-shirts online and boosting their pocket money with the proceeds. After completing A Levels at Gosforth Academy, Whitehead continued his entrepreneurial spirit while studying business at Leeds Beckett University, running his nascent business directly from his dorm room, reports .
After completing his studies, Mr Whitehead ventured into marketing with a drinks firm based in Sunderland, yet his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish The Hideaway Store in October 2023, embracing his true calling. His venture sees him work around the clock in international trade.
But from May 29 to June 3, his pop-up store will be based in Newcastle, featuring coveted second-hand clothing, footwear, and artworks, showcasing labels such as Stone Island, Moncler, Nike, Supreme, and Bape, plus art by acclaimed artists like Kaws and Futura.
He said: "I just get an absolute buzz when I make a good deal. And finding those rare items that are largely unattainable is even sweeter. Buying pre-loved clothing and trainers is where my passion lies. And I enjoy getting up in the morning knowing I work for myself and doing what I've always loved. Setting up on your own is not easy. It definitely comes with its challenges. I've learned so much over the past year and have achieved a lot.
"I'm working hard for my business to grow and this pop-up at the Ouseburn will give me a platform to show my handpicked stock locally and get me out there as a brand. The venue is such a vibrant place and it's perfect for people to pop in."
Mr Whitehead has also noted the sustainable aspect of his pre-owned clothing enterprise, asserting: "People think it's easy to buy and sell but I have to authenticate every item I buy and so much research goes into its origins, pricing and building a rapport with a client. It takes a lot of man hours but finding items I can make a profit on is what I'm good at.
"Selling sneakers and streetwear is my core business but I also sell rare items like art and collectables to high ticket collectors who are willing to pay a premium. I've just purchased some Damien Hirst plates from the 1997 Pharmacy Restaurant in London. The venture was opened by famous artist Hirst with Matthew Freud but it later shut down.
"These plates are a serious collectors' item and I'm looking forward to selling them, hopefully to an auction house like Sothebys or Phillips."
The Hideaway Store will host its pop-up shop at Bottleworks, 8 Riverside Walk, Ouseburn, Newcastle, welcoming visitors from May 29 to June 3, between 10 am to 7 pm daily.
