A new chapter on the high street: meet 14-16 Cornmarket, Louth
News
May 6, 2026
Andrew Cargill, Co-founder and CEO of Zapiet
We're a husband-and-wife team, the co-founders of a Louth-based technology company called Zapiet. Andrew's a local lad, born and raised right here, and together we've spent the last decade quietly building something we're enormously proud of — from right here in Lincolnshire.
Andrew and Emili on their wedding day.
Our software powers click-and-collect, store pickup and local delivery for tens of thousands of retailers in more than 150 countries around the world. From florists in Paris to bakeries in Brisbane, when a shopper picks up an order or schedules a delivery, there's a very good chance our little Zapietosaurus is helping behind the scenes.
And yes — that technology was invented right here in Louth. We're chuffed to bits about that.
We've bought it. 🎉
This stunning Georgian building has stood proudly on Cornmarket for around 300 years, and we are now its very lucky custodians. To say we feel the weight of that responsibility would be an understatement.
Andrew and Emili outside 14-16 Cornmarket, Louth.
Our promise to Louth is simple: we're going to make her beautiful again. We want this building to be something the whole town can be proud of — a piece of our high street's history saved, restored and brought back to life for the next generation.
The plan is two lovely things under one historic roof:
- A retail space downstairs — open to the community, right in the heart of town
- Office space upstairs — where our growing technology team can keep building the software that puts Louth on the map
Two reasons, really.
The first is personal. The high street has had a rough time of it since online shopping arrived on the scene, and we've watched too many beautiful buildings fall quiet. We can't save them all, but we can save this one. Louth gave us our roots, and this is our way of giving something back.
The second is professional. Zapiet builds technology for shopkeepers all over the world, and the best way to truly understand a shopkeeper's day is to be one. By becoming merchants ourselves, we'll feel every wobble, every triumph and every tea-break-interrupting-customer first-hand. That experience will go straight back into our software — meaning better tools for the thousands of retailers who rely on us.
Andrew Cargill, co-founder of Zapiet, speaking at Shopify Editions 2024 in Toronto, Canada.
We've always believed the future of retail isn't online or offline — it's both, woven together. Zapiet exists to bridge that gap, helping traditional shops adopt clever technology so they can keep their doors open and their tills ringing. Now we're going to live it ourselves.
Working with a 300-year-old listed treasure is, as you'd imagine, delightfully complicated. There are layers of history in every wall, and we want to honour all of them. That means things will move slowly, carefully, and properly.
If you walk past and see scaffolding, dust sheets or our Zapietosaurus looking a bit dishevelled — don't worry. Something special is on the way.
If you (or someone you know) is a specialist craftsperson — joiners, plasterers, stonemasons, restorers, sign-writers, anyone with the skills to help us do this building justice — we'd genuinely love to hear from you. Drop us a message and let's have a cuppa.
We'll be sharing the journey every step of the way — the wonky floors, the surprise discoveries behind the wallpaper, the wins, the wobbles, and the day we finally throw the doors open.
👉 Follow us on Instagram @zapiet.uk to come along for the ride.
To our fellow merchants in the Shopify community: thank you for trusting us with your businesses. We can't wait to walk a mile in your shoes.
To the wonderful folk of Louth: thank you for letting us be part of this town's story. We promise to do 14-16 Cornmarket proud.
See you on the high street.
Andrew & Emili
Share this post
Stay in the loop with fresh news and updates from Zapiet
Our Shopify Apps
Partners
Developers
Resources
Our Shopify Apps
Partners
Developers
Resources
© Zapiet 2025
