New Print Hub Officially Opens in Swalwell with a Celebration of Creativity and Community

Independent magazine retailer Unique Magazines has officially opened its doors to the public with a vibrant launch event at its new retail space in Swalwell.

The store — already well known online for its wide range of specialist and independent titles — has undergone over a year of planning, evolving through ideas, challenges, and creative transformation. The grand opening marked the start of an exciting new chapter for the team, with a strong focus on local connection, creativity, and of course, the joy of print.

From early morning coffee, free to guests to ribbon cutting and conversations flowing all day long, the space quickly filled with customers, supporters, and curious newcomers. A loyal local customer who supported the business throughout the pandemic was invited to cut the ribbon and officially open the store — a heartfelt moment in the team’s journey.

“In the ribbon-cutting speech, John, our Managing Director, said:
‘Our dream has always been to have a store—a magazine store filled with printed magazines where customers can come in, pick them up, feel them, and read them. And this is it! We’ve gotten there, and our team has made it happen.’”

Visitors were invited to explore hundreds of magazines, enjoy a coffee, meet the team, and connect with fellow print lovers in a space designed to inspire.

“The last year has been full of exciting changes and challenges, but this grand opening reminded me exactly why we poured so much into it,” said Ellie, Creative Content, Events, and Social Media Manager at Unique Magazines. “The whole day of community and connection brought me absolute joy and pride in everything we have achieved — and it made all the hard graft so worthwhile.”

“I only joined the Unique Magazines team in February as the Customer Communications and Marketing Specialist, so being able to help plan and deliver our store’s grand opening has been incredibly rewarding,” added Jessica. “Having the opportunity to put my own stamp on the event and seeing such a fantastic turnout in support of our local print business filled me and the entire team with pride. It was a phenomenal day, and I’m so excited to see where this next chapter takes us.”

With more events and ideas already in the pipeline, Unique Magazines looks forward to becoming a true hub for print lovers across the Northeast.