173 Ardenlee Avenue: A Taxi Unit's New Journey

In the ever-evolving landscape of our urban centres, the ebb and flow of commerce often dictates the fate of familiar landmarks. Buildings that once served a singular, defining purpose frequently find themselves at a crossroads, awaiting a new chapter. Such is the compelling narrative unfolding at 173 Ardenlee Avenue in East Belfast, a location that, until recently, held a quiet significance within the local transport fabric. This address, once a humble taxi unit, has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, embodying the spirit of local enterprise and the dynamic nature of our high streets. It's a tale that speaks volumes about urban evolution, showing how spaces deeply embedded in the rhythm of daily commutes can be reimagined for entirely different, yet equally vital, community functions.

For years, 173 Ardenlee Avenue likely buzzed with the quiet hum of two-way radios, the faint scent of diesel, and the steady arrival and departure of hackney carriages. A 'taxi unit' suggests a hub, however small, where drivers might have collected fares, taken breaks, or simply managed their daily routes. These unassuming premises are integral to the unsung infrastructure of urban life, ensuring people and goods move efficiently. Yet, as consumer habits shift and the face of local commerce transforms, these spaces sometimes become available, presenting unique opportunities for visionary entrepreneurs. Such was the case when this particular unit became vacant, paving the way for a venture far removed from the world of taxi meters and passenger manifests, yet deeply connected to the pulse of the community.

The catalyst for this transformation is Victoria Nicol, a woman whose journey to opening 'Two Sisters' deli is as winding and inspiring as the roads her former London colleagues once navigated. Victoria’s professional background is rooted in the high-stakes world of professional services, with a decade spent at giants like Ernst & Young and Deloitte as a management consultant. This foundation, steeped in strategic thinking and large-scale programme management, provided an invaluable bedrock for her future endeavours. However, the demands of such a career, particularly with the arrival of her daughters, Freya and Erin, necessitated a profound shift. The high cost of childcare in London for working mothers like herself spurred her initial foray into entrepreneurship with 'Mums On the Go'. This venture, promoting child-friendly local businesses, was not just a clever idea; it was a testament to her keen understanding of community needs and market gaps, skills that would prove instrumental in her later success at 173 Ardenlee Avenue.

Her entrepreneurial spirit truly blossomed with the organisation of a Summer Fair in Wimbledon, which quickly led to the vision of a regular outdoor food market. Victoria's commitment to genuinely 'shop local' and promote small, local food producers was unwavering. She secured support from Merton Council, acquired 30 market stalls with a loan, and within a year, boasted 600 local traders. Her markets expanded to pop-up locations across London, including Canary Wharf and Regents Wharf. Parallel to this, she established Red Brick Creative, a marketing agency that provided flexible employment opportunities for other local mothers. Her dedication to community and business acumen was further recognised when she became the youngest and first female Chairperson of Merton Chamber of Commerce in 2016. This rich tapestry of experience, from corporate strategy to grassroots community building and market development, armed Victoria with the diverse skill set required to identify and capitalise on the potential of a seemingly ordinary 'taxi unit' in East Belfast.

However, Victoria’s path was not without significant personal and professional hurdles. Juggling growing businesses, a high-profile community role, and family life became unsustainable. A devastating cancer diagnosis in December 2014, followed by a battle with post-natal depression, presented immense personal challenges. Her decision to run the Belfast Marathon in May 2015, despite never having run further than to catch a bus, speaks volumes about her extraordinary community resilience and determination. The subsequent difficult decision to divorce and the prospect of being a self-employed, single mother in London, far from family support, led to the pivotal choice to return home to Northern Ireland. This period of intense personal adversity forged an even stronger resolve, preparing her for the next audacious step: transforming a former taxi unit into a thriving local business.

Upon returning to Belfast, Victoria initially worked in a PR agency, promoting Tourism NI and travelling extensively across Northern Ireland. This role exposed her to the burgeoning artisan food community, confirming a nascent passion. A subsequent move to Veriteer, a customer experience consultancy, further deepened her understanding of retail dynamics, particularly within large supermarket chains. Yet, the pull of artisan products and local producers remained strong. It was a simple, profound observation from her daughter, Freya – "Mum you were happier when you worked for yourself" – that served as the ultimate catalyst. When the 'taxi unit' at 173 Ardenlee Avenue became available, Victoria seized the opportunity, taking on the lease and opening 'Two Sisters' on 11th January 2020. Her unique selling proposition (USP) was clear and powerful: everything sold would be authentically 'Made in Northern Ireland' – a bold commitment in a market where 'local' often has a broad definition.

Just eight weeks after opening, the world was plunged into the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. For a nascent business like Two Sisters, operating from a space previously dedicated to the comings and goings of taxis, this could have been catastrophic. However, being classified as an essential retailer allowed them to remain open. Victoria demonstrated incredible strategic adaptation. Initially managing orders manually via Word documents attached to emails, an ex-colleague from Veriteer swiftly built an online shop, transforming the business overnight. Suddenly, Two Sisters was fielding over forty online orders a day. This surge in demand, coupled with the need for extensive deliveries across Northern Ireland – from Cregagh to Cushendall – highlighted a new kind of urban mobility, one driven by local commerce and community need rather than passenger transport. It was a massive learning curve, requiring Victoria to balance running the shop during the day with personal deliveries in the evenings, often with the help of her partner’s van. The pandemic, while challenging, inadvertently propelled the business forward, proving the viability of a truly local deli, even in a repurposed space.

The burgeoning success of Two Sisters quickly necessitated more space. The availability of the adjacent unit, previously used for coffin storage by a local undertaker, presented an unusual but welcome expansion opportunity. This further transformation of existing commercial spaces underscores the theme of urban regeneration. Despite the ongoing pandemic in October 2020, Victoria 'undertook' the lease. To cover the costs of this new unit while planning the extension, she ingeniously pivoted to selling locally grown Christmas trees from Finnegan’s Farm. What started with an expectation of selling a dozen quickly escalated to over sixty, many requiring delivery – another instance where local logistics became paramount, even if not directly involving taxis. The run-up to Christmas was immensely pressured, with a surge in demand for local presents and food, leading to Victoria, her mother, Freya, and Erin making up to 200 corporate hampers for a single customer. This collective effort highlights the powerful role of family and community in driving sustainable growth.

The extension, completed on 12th May, 2021, dramatically increased the shop's capacity, allowing for a beautiful new deli counter and a wider range of local products. Collaborations with local suppliers like Tom & Ollie have further solidified Two Sisters’ commitment to Northern Irish produce. A particular point of pride is their own Two Sisters coffee brand, roasted locally and expanding into other deli shops. This coffee is sourced from a network of female growers in Columbia, transforming a derelict coffee estate – a powerful narrative of supporting women entrepreneurs globally, mirroring Victoria's own journey and her commitment to ethical sourcing and impactful stories behind each product. The selection process for products is meticulous, with Victoria actively seeking out small, local companies, such as Olive Tree Bakes in Bangor, which opened during lockdown. This dedication to nurturing other local businesses strengthens the entire community ecosystem, creating a ripple effect of economic benefit.

Victoria’s vision for the Two Sisters brand extends beyond coffee, with a new range of hand-poured candles made just a few streets away. This strategy of growing the brand bit-by-bit, establishing it as a purveyor of high-quality, locally made, home-grown products, is a testament to her strategic acumen. The involvement of her daughters, Freya and Erin, for whom the business is named and intended as an inheritance, underscores the deeply personal nature of this venture. Their honest opinions on samples and active participation, even down to the seven-year-old working the till, embed the family values at the heart of the business. From a former taxi unit to a thriving artisan deli and brand, 173 Ardenlee Avenue stands as a beacon of entrepreneurial success, resilience against personal and global challenges, and a vibrant example of how local businesses can transform spaces and enrich communities in unexpected ways. It’s a story not just about a deli, but about the profound revitalisation of urban spaces, proving that even the most utilitarian of premises can find a new, flourishing purpose, serving the community in a different, yet equally essential, capacity.

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