March 2020 the world starts to go into lockdown as a global pandemic hits called Covid-19 (coronavirus). Over the next year the economy takes a huge hit and many businesses are struggling to keep going. As much as this sounds like the start to an interesting sci-fi book sadly this is reality.
During the first lockdown which ran from March – June 2020 all our business was online. However June 2020 gave an opportunity for us to have a shopfront. We started to rent a small area of the shop at a local antiques centre. This allowed not only online trade but also enabled physically bigger items to be sold. By having online and a shop presence we were starting to reach a more varied audience.
From June 2020 – December 2020 the pandemic saw various local lockdowns and tier systems causing a concern to how our business would survive. Despite all the obstacles business was good. Online sales were providing positive feedback from customers (some of the feedback from customers can be found on this website) and the shop was doing so well by August of 2020 we needed to expand. After some discussion with the lovely staff at the antiques centre and we expanded the current shop area to allow even more stock.
Late December 2020 and the country has seen another national lockdown causing more stress to the future of the business. Back to trading online only, but this time there was a boom on sales. We were getting repeat customers, great feedback and business was good. However by March 2021 stock was low. Time to rethink the business model. The decision was made that we would relocated to an even bigger area of the shop. The change to the model was that we would have antique, vintage and retro items of all sizes. Display cabinets for the tables and shelving for the mediums and space for the bigger items to stand. April 2021 and lockdown restrictions have been eased so the move was to take place
It has been a very challenging year and our hard work has paid off. We have fantastic online sales and a eye catching shop front full of antiques, vintage and retro items for people of all interests. It is not just the work we do that makes the business, it is our customers, family and friends and those who read or blogs and follow us on social media who provide the much needed support we need. Thank you everyone.
The overall view of where we are now. 
The new display cabinets for the smaller more valuable items. 
The right side has various collectable items of interest 
This wall showcases the Wildcard name
If you are in the Leicester area, please come and see us at:
Freemen’s Common Antiques Centre
8 Counting House Road
Freemen’s Common
Leicester
LE2 7LT
Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 10am – 4pm