Autumn stock begins arriving in Uckfield shops
Uckfield traders have started talking about Christmas and Autumn is very much to the fore as new stock arrives in town.
Mustard and terracotta are the colours attracting attention in Kandey while 40 different types of bulb are now available at All Sorts ready for planting, writes Cathy Watson.
Chilli Peppers at The Hop Barn is seeking bookings for the festive season and new brands at George Moss jewellers were ordered with presents in mind - some designs complement each other making ideal gifts for mothers and daughters.
Floral displays
Elsewhere the change of season isn’t as obvious.
For example at The Flower Shop owner Lisa Hepburn is still busy with creating floral displays, bouquets and buttonholes for weddings.
She is now also able to go one step further and supply chair covers and sashes to match colour schemes selected by couples for their special day.
Scooter season
And at PipeDreams it is proving to be scooter season all year round.
Brothers Callum Brasier, aged nine, and Jacob, 12, from Crowborough, were shopping with their mother Kathy, for accessories when I called in at the shop.
Both started with basic scooters and had progressed to better models.
Callum was replacing his wheels, partly for the new look and partly because one of the existing wheels was flat on one side.
The boys, who are pictured here, said everybody seemed to be on a scooter now. When they visited a skate park at Broadstairs recently there were children aged three or four as well as people in their early 20s.
Jacob, who went on to demonstrate a “bunny hop, tail whip and bri-flip”, said there was a friendly atmosphere there with everybody giving each other time to take their turn.
Julie Hobbs, who runs PipeDreams with husband David, said they were expecting a big delivery of J.D. Bugs, Slamm and Razor scooters in the run up to Christmas.
They are currently in the final stages of their sale with summer stock reduced by up to 60% now and new clothing arriving for men, women and children.
Boutique opens
A new boutique, Tres Couture opened in Uckfield on Saturday, in the parade of shops set back from the High Street between Uckfield Electrics and the Post Office.
Another boutique, Pilgrim, is due to open shortly on the opposite side of the High Street.
In Bell Walk new owner of Soleman, Adam Notman, is settling in and stamping his mark on the place.
He is now selling luggage, bags, safes and walking sticks in addition to carrying out shoe repairs and key cutting and is hoping to introduce pipes for smokers too. “A lot of people have been enquiring about them,” he said.
Stocking fillers
At The Bargain Store stocking fillers are starting to arrive and Cynthia Kennedy said it was worth calling in regularly to keep up to date with what is on offer. She added: “It is worth remembering that we have nice wide aisles and plenty of space for double buggies and mobility scooters.”
Trevor Brown at Sew n Sew at the Market Hall says nail art kits are selling well for them, both in the shop and on Amazon. Ten different colours come in the kits with special pens for creating designs on the polish.
Don’t forget you can buy Dylon at Sew n Sew too and hand-knitted products including cuddly clowns.
Fish pedicures
Have you noticed that fish pedicures are now available at the Market Hall? Funky Feet has moved in.
At Cannadines massive discounts are still available on bathroom suites as a clear out is under way ready for refurbishment.
At SpecSavers Opticians it is now possible to use NHS vouchers, worth £29, and pay an additional £10 to buy glasses normally costing £69.
A two for the price of one offer is also running, which means you buy one pair of glasses and get another pair free, and new Karen Millen and Gok Wan ranges are now in the shop.
Offers on wine
Check out the special offers at Noble Wines. They have a new range of Italian wine with two bottles offered for £12.
St Helier flavoured ciders are also on offer at £10 for a case of 12.
Earlier in this feature I mentioned that new jewellery brands are arriving at George Moss. One expected to do well is Babette Wasserman, an Italian range of silver jewellery in a variety of finishes including woven magnetic bracelets and Swarovski crystal pendants.
There are also pretty interlinking necklaces, perfect for presents for mothers and daughters.
Seventies style
Seventies-style dresses and the Mad Men 60s look are expected to be in demand as the season changes according to Jenny Brookes, from Kandey, and she’s enjoying the Autumn colours appearing in her shop.
Taurie Linstead, owner of Chilli Peppers at The Hop Barn, said she was now taking bookings for Christmas events, either personal or business.
She is also planning to run party nights, probably on Fridays and Saturdays, in December so that local businesses unable to take over a whole venue can join in with other organisations to enjoy either a disco or live music.
At Hartfields Produce Store owner James Hartfield is planning to start making deliveries in Uckfield and the surrounding area. He continues to increase the range of produce sold at his shop and it is worth looking out for varieties of hand-made hummus which are proving popular.
Carnival fare
The Courtyard Coffee Shop is due to open on Saturday night during the Uckfield Carnival. Fare such as Turkish meszze and pasta, along with drinks should be available.
At Professional Hair Design for Him there is a special offer on a “luxury wet shave and a wash, cut and style” for £19.50 instead of the usual £27.
Owner David Thomas said the offer was being run to coincide with the arrival of Carl Blake who has joined the team of barbers. Carl has 20 years barbering experience and is also a senior trainer at a barbering academy.
Takeaway food
Takeaway food shop Appetite is doing well sharing the premises of Pizza Zone on the corner of the High Street and Hempstead Road.
Elizabeth Buckley who helps with the business said they were now getting regular orders from some newsagents in town while making sandwiches and providing snacks for people calling at the shop or requesting deliveries. She said: “We are now thinking of doing some salads and looking at making our own cup cakes.”
(Added to site Thursday, September 1st, 2011)
