The Gosport firm that's hoping to breathe life back into the high street

A NEW Gosport business is hoping to champion local firms and breathe life back into the high street with a touch of style.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Coastal Collective was set up by Mandy Rose and her husband David and their friend Robbie Khan earlier this year.

David runs The Black Rose Collective, a barber shop, while Mandy runs Black Rose Creative, a design studio based in the same building. They opened in November, just two weeks before the second lockdown.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After being forced to close their doors, they used the time wisely and have collaborated with photographer Robbie to start the Coastal Collective, which aims to connect creatives, independent businesses, and brands from the area directly with their supporters via an online community and directory.

Mandy Rose is the founder of ‘ The Coastal collective’ along with David Rose in Gosport.

Pictured is: (l-r) David Rose (39), Mandy Rose (35) and photographer Robbie Khan (37).

Picture: Sarah Standing (010421-5909)Mandy Rose is the founder of ‘ The Coastal collective’ along with David Rose in Gosport.

Pictured is: (l-r) David Rose (39), Mandy Rose (35) and photographer Robbie Khan (37).

Picture: Sarah Standing (010421-5909)
Mandy Rose is the founder of ‘ The Coastal collective’ along with David Rose in Gosport. Pictured is: (l-r) David Rose (39), Mandy Rose (35) and photographer Robbie Khan (37). Picture: Sarah Standing (010421-5909)
Read More
Couple open new business offering barbering and design in Gosport high street

Mandy said: ‘Before Covid we had all been threatened with redundancy by previous employers, we didn’t want to have that worry or be put through it again so began building our businesses on the side.

‘We understood that if you have a successful business you need passion so we formed our businesses around our passions, barbering, photography and design.’

The trio, all from Gosport, met while working for a ferry company, before they all left to pursue different careers – Mandy becoming a teaching assistant, David retraining as a barber and Robbie going to work for BAE Systems.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mandy and David, who have been married for five years and have two children, said the past year has been tough, but they are delighted to finally be open again.

Mandy, 35, said: ‘It has been challenging with lockdown and was disheartening having to close our business after two weeks of opening.

‘We have seen this as an opportunity to develop our business skills, make connections with other businesses and charities such as ‘The Lions Barber Collective’ who raise awareness and educate in men’s mental health.

‘All three of us also used lockdown to help establish The Coastal Collective together.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘We are delighted to open our doors and with even bigger visions this time, it’s going to be an exciting time for not only us as an independent business but for all independents.’

Mandy and Rob have also been involved with recording podcast interviews with The Female Creative Talks and Scottish Watches.

Mandy has been teaching her #LoveFierce journaling as well as collaborating with Jeannie Lymath, from Southsea, who runs Solecare healing and Anna Whitehead who published The Moon Method diary to host ‘Goddess Journaling’ sessions.

Businesses can join The Coastal Collective for £70, which gets them a year’s membership which includes listings, promotion, support, plus more. Go to thecoastalcollective.co.uk

A mess age from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.