From the outside it looks like any other terraced house... but behind the door at 104 Sheriffs Highway, there have been creative minds hard at work for over twenty years.

Laura and Jon met up in the year 2000 in London. Laura on her year in industry as a fashion student and Jon making adverts with puppets. 'Fashion' joined forces with 'Jim Henson' and the dynamic duo was set. Whilst Laura baked Jon a pie with a pastry frog on top, he was making her the best mixtape... ever. Within three months of meeting, they were living together and had a regular stall at Portobello market, selling bags Laura made in their front room.

Fast forward a few years; a first in her degree for Laura, a wedding and a new home back in her native North East. An unusual property wrapped around the old Post Office on Sheriffs Highway, Gateshead.

Using a Prince's Trust loan, Laura started her own fashion enterprise and her collection of womenswear and accessories was launched at a London trade show in 2004, under the brand 'Heidi Seeker'.

Heidi Seeker blew up with magazine features and celebrity fans. Laura's creations decked out cult girl group The Pipettes and went on tour with Katy Perry. Her designs graced countless publications. It soon became obvious that the business needed more space than their spare rooms had to offer.

The Post Office luckily became available to buy and their design studio dream was born. The fantastic honour of being selected to sell on 'Not On The High Street' rounded off a few busy years.

With the addition of three kids, Laura's creative attention shifted to a new customer. Her kidswear brand 'Pop Kid' was equally successful. Her designs have featured in the Guardian gift guide and are owned by the kids of several household names including Jamie Oliver and Claudia Winkleman.

Work started on converting the old post office into a design studio and shop with Laura and Jon completing most of the interior work themselves.

We are truly a family enterprise at Pop-Up. Our teenage twins work in the shop and help with marketing. As keen guitarists, they also curate our Rock & Roll music accessory corner! Jon is the website guru and often can be found in store on a Saturday. Our youngest helps package orders and products. Laura designs and makes. 

With the addition of the Charm Bar and the second hand book exchange outside we really hope pop-up can continue to be a destination shop and community asset. 

Everything we sell has an abundance of colour and humour. If you have something you want yet can't find, Laura can help you create it.

Life is exciting if you surround yourself with things that make you happy. Come and see us!