Our Story: From Freshers Week to More Than Just a Gift

Hi, I’m Sophie, and along with my husband Simon, I run More Than Just a Gift at Narborough Hall. This little business is our passion, our pride, and, honestly, a huge part of our lives. Over the past three decades we’ve poured our hearts into building something we truly love, supported by our incredible team.

But running a shop wasn’t always the dream. Back in 1993, Simon and I met on the first night of Freshers Week at the University of Sheffield—me studying Archaeology & Prehistory, him tackling a Law degree. Retail was nowhere on our radar! Life, though, has a funny way of leading you where you’re meant to be.

The year before I’d left for uni, my parents, Paul and Wendy, had turned the front rooms of my childhood home—Narborough Hall—into a gallery to help fund the restoration of the house. The house was a dilapidated wreck when they bought it for peanuts in the 1970s after the previous owner’s application to demolish it was refused. Over the years, they poured endless time, energy, and love into restoring it, eventually turning part of it into a gallery to help fund its upkeep. The Hall was a labour of love (and, let’s be honest, a bit of a money pit!). Alongside the artwork and vintage treasures, they added some cards and gifts.

I’d always been irresistibly drawn to the gift side of the business from the very beginning. I spent every spare second I could creating displays and serving customers. Mum and dad have still got my first letter home from uni where the first thing I say is instructions on how to manage the shop while I wasn’t there! When Simon visited for the first time, he pitched in around the house and business. One minute my dad was directing him to dig a new flowerbed in the garden, the next I’d got him pricing up a delivery of cards. Amazingly, didn’t run for the hills but decided to stick with me!

We finished uni in 1996 and started applying for graduate jobs, but in the meantime, we couldn’t help but involve ourselves in the business. While my parents had created a good foundation, it needed a fresh perspective and new energy to reach its full potential. But what began as a temporary troubleshooting mission for Simon and me soon turned into a shared passion, as we discovered we had a real knack for it. Together, we started implementing our ideas and reshaping the shop. Fuelled by sheer determination and boundless energy, we were on it seven days a week and we’d regularly work until the early hours of the morning. We reconfigured everything, painted and refreshed everywhere, set up new displays, added a LOT more cards and gifts, and even designed a logo and packaging. Steadily and strongly, it began to grow, and luckily, its just never stopped.

We've now spent over 30 years curating collections we’re proud of, always with one goal in mind: to make it easy for you to find the perfect gift, whatever the occasion. We know the joy of giving something meaningful, and it’s such a privilege to be part of your special moments. Our customers have become like extended family—whether you're popping in for a birthday card or choosing jewellery for a big celebration, we’re here to help. Even now, decades later, we’re still just as excited to discover new products and create a shopping experience that’s welcoming, inspiring, and a little bit magical.

Thank you for supporting us and for being part of our journey. Whether you’re browsing online or visiting us in person, we’re always here to help you give More Than Just A Gift.

With love,
Sophie x