UP CLOSE: Tom Moon, owner of fashion and lifestyle store Urban Yard in Street

Street Nub News aims to be supportive to every element of the community from business and shops to people and charities, and clubs and sports organisations.

Everyone is finding it tough at the moment and is desperate to get back to normal.

We are profiling some of these local businesses and groups regularly over coming weeks in a feature called UP CLOSE IN STREET in the hope that we can be a supportive springboard for their full return to business as usual.

Today we talk to Tom Moon, owner of the Urban Yard fashion and lifestyle shop in Street, who talks about how quickly he got his premises and the best things about operating a business in the village.

During a Q and A session, he also talks about what he would change to improve the fortunes of Street shops and which movie star he would like to play him in a movie about his life.

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Have you always lived in the Street area and, if not, what were the key considerations about moving here?

Yes, I was born and raised in Glastonbury. I have always worked in and around Street especially Clarks Village. I did move to South Wales for a couple of years, but moved back after missing Somerset.

Tell us a bit about your personal business background Tom and how you ended up running Urban Yard?

I have worked within the retail industry for more than 20 years now. From starting as a Saturday job in Next and worked my way up to become head of retail for Clarks Village.

I left this job at the start of 2020 before the pandemic hit to try something different. For many reasons this didn't work out and I found myself unemployed around November 2020.

After many years of being employed I decided the opportunity to run my own business was too good to turn down. I saw the store was vacant so made a quick call.

Seventy-two hours later I had the keys in my hand. I gave myself a timeline of trying to be open for the start of 2021 but this was then heavily delayed due to the current climate, so the doors opened properly on April 12.

What do you like about Street? How are you involved in the local community?

I like how Street is a small town, with friendly people. Such a small town in the heart of Somerset attracting more than four million people a year because of Clarks Village means it's a great place for independents to grow.

I am currently looking to join the local chamber of commerce to hopefully make a change to our High Street.

The coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on many businesses and organisations - what are your plans?

It delayed my full opening by four months so it was pretty tough to take when I had my store all ready to go. Using the time wisely, it gave me a chance to heavily publicise the store using various social media channels.

What other businesses do you like and use in Street?

I use my great next-door neighbours, the Ninety Five Barbers. Clarks Village is still a firm favourite for homewares and also the variety of pubs and eateries we have in the town.

The lockdown has been very difficult for many people - how do you think that Street as a village has coped?

I think as a town we have coped well and adapted very quickly. I have not had to ask people to wait outside or queue for the store as they seem to do it as "the new normal".

If there was one thing in the village you would change, what would it be?

Free parking for the High Street. I think this would benefit the whole town.

If you had one message for local residents, what would it be?

Shop local. In my store we have matched all the internet prices, so why wait for delivery when you can just pop in and get it?

If you could choose one famous person to play you in a movie about your life, who would it be and why?

Jonah Hill. He loves his sneakers as much as I do.

Go to the Urban Yard website:

Check out the Urban Yard website here.