Somer Store
News
BSU announces new city-centre sustainable fashion store
Tuesday, 11 March, 2025Bath Spa University is delighted to announce the launch of Somer, a fashion retail store and community space focused on sustainable design, opening this spring on Bartlett Street in Bath’s historic shopping area.
Somer will showcase products designed and made by BSU students and alumni and support them to grow their businesses in an authentic high-street environment. The store will also showcase other local, sustainable brands and ethically produced fashion as well as host workshops and events with fashion-industry professionals.
Tamara Parsons-Baker, BSU Executive Project Manager for the National Centre Fashion and Sustainability said:
"Somer presents an opportunity for our students to have their work at the centre of a creative community by bringing in other aspirational brands from the region and curating a blend of what's interesting right now in fashion and craft. Alongside the retail aspect, we also plan to have a small cafe and workshop space, so it's a vibrant central Bath location where our BSU community can come and connect with other creatives in their area.”
This week the Somer team have launched an ‘Open Call for Talent’ campaign and are looking for BSU students, graduates and alumni to register their interest to be part of the store.
Parsons-Baker added:
“We understand that approximately 25% of BSU students are entrepreneurial and plan to set up their own business. Somer provides them with a unique opportunity to showcase their work, without the cost implications of hiring their own space. As we prepare to open our doors in Spring 2025, we invite you to be part of this exciting journey. Whether you’re a student, designer, local sustainable business, fashion enthusiast, or advocate for sustainability, Somer is a space for you.”
Talking about the inspiration for the name, Fashion Business Manager of Somer, Jessica Hannan said:
“Somer comes from our region: Somerset, so if you are a part of our community, you’re in the 'Somer Set’.”
Somer is backed by the National Centre for Fashion and Sustainability (NCFS), a BSU initiative partnered with The Fashion Museum Bath. Somer will serve as a dynamic testbed for the Centre's plans to drive innovation and business growth in the sustainable fashion sector in the Southwest.
Professor Andy Salmon, Pro Vice-Chancellor (External) who is project sponsor said:
“Bath Spa University's DNA has professional creativity at its core. Somer will encapsulate that as a creative but commercial space offering valuable experience and teaching and learning benefits to our students, alumni, and collaborating makers and microbusinesses.”
At the core of BSU's employability objectives is to connect students with industry and offer opportunities for post-graduate outcomes by creating a varied list of ongoing student work placements, from social media management to buying and merchandising.
Projects at Somer will be embedded into the BSU curriculum across a wide range of degree courses from Interior Design to Arts Management, Fashion Photography and Creative Arts Practice, offering ‘real life’ briefs with local and national businesses. This initiative has already kicked off, with a live project involving second-year interior design students.
Hannan added:
“Interest from national brands and local businesses has been overwhelmingly positive already, and we have yet to open. The fashion industry wants to connect with students and by meeting them halfway, in a commercial setting speaks their language. Education needs to meet businesses on their terms to create pathways into employment."
The initiative is inspired by BSU’s existing projects that offer support for graduates such as Emerge, a studio residency programme for graduates across art, design, performance, music and creative media and The Studio, a space for micro-businesses, BSU students, and graduates to work on projects and ideas that focus on creativity and technology.
Somer will also offer business incubation and support, helping small businesses and startups in the region grow sustainably. With 1,145 fashion businesses in the Southwest generating £560m in turnover and employing nearly 11,000 people, Somer positions BSU students at the centre of a thriving, sustainable fashion ecosystem.
Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development said:
“As part of the Regeneration of Bath’s Milsom Quarter as the design and fashion district, we are delighted to support the opening of this new dynamic retail and learning space. Through our Vacant Unit Action Project, we have worked together with Bath Spa University to develop a new High Street concept, bringing an empty shop back into use. This investment in design talent in the city aligns well with the ambitious plans for the new Fashion Museum and will present great opportunities for emerging designers and makers.”
Professor Andy Salmon added:
“We want to create the first destination in the Southwest that connects the makers, creatives and SMEs working in sustainable fashion and luxury retail and ensure our students are at the centre of that.”
Merchandiser & Retail Assistant
If you are interested in showcasing your work in Somer or being part of the sustainable fashion and makers community please get in touch with the Somer team, at Bath Spa University at ncfs@bathspa.ac.uk