Vintage at the Tower, a Corbridge vintage shop, supplied handbags and costume jewelry for the latest Mission: Impossible movie, underscoring the vital role of small businesses in global entertainment.

A Northumberland-based shopkeeper has gained recognition for her contribution to the latest installment of the Mission: Impossible film series. Gayle Foster, owner of Vintage at the Tower in Corbridge since 2013, provided a selection of handbags and crystal costume jewelry featured in the upcoming Tom Cruise movie.

The boutique’s involvement came after the film’s costume buyer selected items from Gayle’s shop to be part of a party scene filmed at the Natural History Museum in London last year. The chosen items included scarab beetle brooches, clip-on earrings, and various vintage handbags carefully picked from both the physical store and the shop’s website.

Gayle Foster shared her enthusiasm for the project, telling Chronicle Live, “Running an independent shop can feel like Mission: Impossible in the current economic climate but Vintage at the Tower is just one of many acclaimed indie shops in Corbridge proving that small businesses can survive and thrive if they offer customers something unique. We were sworn to secrecy about our role in the Mission: Impossible film until the release date was announced.”

Looking forward to the film’s release, Gayle added, “We are really excited, look forward to spotting our pieces on film, and plan a trip to our local cinema in Hexham to see if we can spot any of our handbags and jewellery on the big screen.”

In addition to running her vintage shop, Gayle Foster serves as chairperson of Visit Corbridge, a community association aimed at supporting local businesses and raising the profile of the Tyne Valley town.

Supporting Gayle’s achievements, Small Business Britain has shortlisted Vintage at the Tower for the High Street Hero award. The winner will be announced at the Small Awards ceremony in London on May 22, 2025, just one day after the release of the eighth Mission: Impossible film. Michelle Ovens CBE, founder of Small Business Britain, said, “Every year the Small Awards celebrate the UK’s most inspiring small business owners, who are the heart of their communities, and are fuelling the nation’s economic growth. The awards are a great opportunity to recognise the success and contributions of so many small businesses—Vintage at the Tower is extremely deserving of being a finalist and we look forward to celebrating together in May.”

Interestingly, Vintage at the Tower is not the only Northumberland connection to the Mission: Impossible franchise. Formerly of Twice Brewed, astronomer Wil Cheung appeared as an extra in the seventh Mission: Impossible movie, portraying a passenger walking through Dubai Airport, although the scene was filmed at Birmingham Airport.

The participation of Northumberland businesses and individuals in such a major Hollywood production highlights the diverse ways in which local talents and enterprises contribute to global entertainment projects.

Source: Noah Wire Services