Skater Owned Shops Spotlight | Freestyle Skate Store Newport
At the heart of all skate communities are the skater owned shops that keep the scene alive. Supporting local skaters, brands, and events, these shops aren’t just businesses; they’re meeting points, creative hubs, and essential spaces that shape UK skateboarding.
That’s why we launched a new blog series shining a light on the independent skate shops that keep the UK rolling. We’ll be visiting some of the best skater owned shops, looking into their stories, and finding out what makes each of them unique. From their beginnings to the challenges they face today, we’ll celebrate the people keeping the UK skate scene strong.
Whether you’re a local looking for a new spot to support or just want to hear some real skate shop stories, this series is for you.
Next in the SOS Spotlight Series is Freestyle Skate Store in Newport. We spoke to Darran 'Grim' Ward to get the lowdown on this legendary Welsh skate establishment.
This series will be a deep dive into the real people behind the counters, the local scenes they help grow, and the future of skater owned retail.
"A Skate Shop Day participating store is defined as a skater owned and operated retailer whose main primary business focuses on full time, physical store locations, with an always on deep rooted commitment to skateboarding, and whose company is independently owned, and not publicly traded. (In other words, we’re dealing with real, live, physical, indie skate shops – not online retailers or corporate behemoths)."
Freestyle Skate Store: The Story Behind the Shop
Paul Vale: When and why did you start the shop?
Darran 'Grim' Ward: Shops been going since 1995 and I was surfing at the time, it opened by a surf shop and I drifted over. I had skated in the 80’s and loved seeing how it had progressed. I was living in Hereford and Ray said he would help me relocate to Newport. Fast forward to 2014 and I bought the shop off him. I want to kick 2014 me’s head in ha!
Paul Vale: What was the skate scene like in your area when you opened?
Grim: When we opened there was Phil And Simon Hacket (Phil has done art for shop riot) Sam Sims, Saul, then there was an older crew like Dainton, Barry Jenkins but to be honest it was a small tight crew that grew in time, extremely male orientated
Paul Vale: What’s been the biggest challenge in running a skater owned business?
Grim: The biggest challenge has been growing up and having to come to terms with the changes the internet has brung, at one point we had a sole floor dedicated to skate and chilling then the internet came and our customer base shrunk not grew as the owner Ray was like, fuck the internet, people should come and stand on boards and chat, that ethos is still with us. We rented upstairs to a girls shop and then a tattooist and then a barbers then briefly in a skate park and now in a shared space with a retro toy shop.
Paul Vale: How has the shop changed over the years?
Grim: Like I say, first shop was tiny, and drug addicts used the door as a toilet, romantic spot and a shooting up spot. Every morning was an ordeal. Then to a cool arcade and it had a pool table and Atari, then we moved as I had a bit of help, then the barber upstairs moved next door and it was clear i couldn’t afford it on my own. So to No Comply as Alan helped me out for a bit. Then the space got a bit confusing so my mate Steve who is actually the original owners cousin offered me half his store as a skate shop. We both kinda run each others shit when the other isn’t there
The Local Skate Scene & Community in Newport and Wales
Paul Vale: How would you describe the skate scene in your town/city?
Grim (Freestyle Skate Store): Sad to say but it’s not what it was, the meeting up on a Sat and skating till it’s dark, drying ya tee on a hot pavement then off to TJ’s is kinda done. People grow up. Was cool this week end, bunch of kids I call the “What’s up rockers” kids came in and hung out and chatted. Felt nostalgic. Great to see other genders coming through now. Not as male orientated as the past. A lot of ours are drawn to Cardiff where the streets are paved with gold. I get it but be nice to see the guys more.
Paul Vale: What role does your shop play in supporting local skaters?
Grim: Sponsorship always starts at shop level, we then get them noticed. Only ever sponsored those that have supported or whose parents have supported. Personality is so important. No room for ego. We aided getting the parks built. When they knocked the one down I made damn sure another had already been started before the money was lost. Also I always wanted to be the safe space, place to run to if you was in trouble, kicked out of the house, needing to talk. It was the space Ray created and I carried on that ethos
Paul Vale: Have you seen any standout local skaters come up through the shop?
Grim: Oh bloody hell how long you got, Alex, Dale Meredith, Saul Evans, Sam Pulley, Nick Chappel, Bummo, Chav Dan, Jake Collins, Lee Dainton, Barry Shamrock, Brandon Big Tits, Little Nicky, Cashman, bloody hell no idea who I missed but a lot oh Simon and Phil Hacket, so many didn’t get the break they deserved.
Paul Vale: What’s your favourite local skate spot, and why?
Grim: Pretty much only skate the DIY, lots of quirky shit
"About Freestyle Skate Store"
Freestyle Skate Store 100% SKATER OWNED!!
We are a 100% Skater owned Core Skate store, FREESTYLE opened it's doors in a little arcade in 1995, since then we've moved Freestyle to a bigger store staying true to our Newport roots. Still loving doing it and loving supporting those that support us. It would be better to see you in store but failing that have a look to see what we have to offer.
Our Skate team to date: Nick Worthington, Jesse James, Lee Dainton, Kyle Howells, Sam Cochran, Chav Dan, Bean Head, Jake Collins, Sam Pulley, Heather, Nathan Pritchard, Alan Harris, Sox, Tom Steel, Lt Meat, Baily, Craig Scrivens, Sketchy Huw, Medieval Dale, Hot Dog, Meat Ball, Robert Jenkins, Lee Jenkins, Lt Meat, Ben Morris, Lewis Jenkins, Jonny Ashfield, Martin John, Nick Chappel, Buddy, Dinks, Little Jack Beynon, Lt Meat Plus a whole mess of dudes lovingly referred to as FSTL ARMY.
The Skate Business & The Culture
Paul Vale: What brands do you stock at Freestyle, and why?
Grim: Brand wise we gotta be realistic on price, boards need to stay under £65, £70 at a push. Always had a Hesh scene, zero, Creature, lot of local love Kill City, FSTL our brand then cool mates brands like Dungeon, National Crust, Curb Diamond, mates asking me to stick there shit is a buzz and so far I havent had to say, that’s shit. Gonna start stocking local band merch as I’m heavily involved in the Hardcore/Punk scene great to see girls coming through, ask a lot of advice as I’d rather ask the source, I’m not out of touch but I’m also not a young female
Paul Vale: What’s the best thing about running a skater owned shop?
Grim: The best thing about being SOS is the people you meet. And on occasion one will stick around in your life like Student James (Have you seen him) or James Mathews. Had a blast skating and travelling under the guise of “promotion “
Paul Vale: What’s one misconception people have about running a skate shop?
Grim: Misconception is that it can be your sole wage. It’s so difficult. Certain months you may as well stay home. You “will” take everything personally. If customers come in with a deck off the internet and you could have got it in, it hurts
Paul Vale: How important is it for skaters to support independent skate shops?
Grim (Freestyle Skate Store): It’s so important to invest, without the customers we can’t put back in. And we want to. Kind of where I am at present
Paul Vale: What 3 things would you say you've done well to keep the business going over the years?
Grim: Even on my bad days I try and make everyone smile and feel better than when they came in.
Always say hi and goodbye to everyone
Kept realistic about what will sell, it may be cool as fuck but if it’s too expensive it will sit until sale priced.
Paul Vale: What’s next for Freestyle Skate Store? Any upcoming events or plans?
Grim: Trying to sort out some local ropey parks, get some younger talent noticed. Would love to do a shop video but that’s dependent on others obviously
Paul Vale: Where do you see the UK skate scene heading in the next 5-10 years?
Grim: Never before have SOS shops battled so many foes, direct to customer, distro owned shops, price hikes, uneducated customers buying from corporations thinking they are just beaches of the same tree, bedroom brands….etc without shops, no shop riots, no scene vids, no cool affordable shop brands. I believe in skateboarding though. It’s gonna get back to the raw beauty that is under the makeup.
Paul Vale: What advice would you give to someone thinking about opening a skater owned shop?
Grim: Pick your time, we have lost so many rad shops I thought were killing it, now is not the time. Pick a great name, your own merch is your bread and butter, create a story. Mummy and daddy gave me money to start a shop is not a story.
Paul Vale: If you could collaborate with any brand or skater, who would it be?
Grim: I’ve ticked a few boxes here, been speaking to Todd Francis and Michel Sieban as I am a fan boy already done a Sam Hitz colab and it’s rad, took me 2 runs to realise he spelt Freestyle wrong haha! He was like fuck. All stemmed from being outside Greggs when he stayed at mine, he saw my Creature tat and was hyped, I said I loved one of his in particular and he shouted “ITS A FUCKING BUCKET OF BLOOD WITH WINGS” 😂😂😂 also got good friends with Eric Dressen so would love a colab with him. Board wise Heroin, Death or Kill City is the dream.
Paul Vale: Safe Grim, thanks for the catch up !
SOS Spotlight Series
Safe Grim, we appreciate you partner 👊
