Summer on Uckfield High Street
Holidays and days out are top of the agenda for most people in August and for our Personal Shopper feature we have asked a selection of Uckfield High Street traders two questions:
- What should people buy in your shop during the holidays and
- Where would you recommend your customers go on days out?
One of the most interesting replies came from Pipedreams because a new craze for youngsters is scooter acrobatics and it is possi
ble to buy the scooters there and then take them to the relatively new Uckfield skate park to practise, writes Cathy Watson.
First to use the skate park at the Victoria Ground were youngsters with skateboards and BMX bikes but now you can see scooters too.
David Hobbs is pictured with one of the Pipedreams scooters.
For a great day out David and wife Julie recommend beaches at East and West Wittering. “Take a picnic and body boards,” said Julie. "There are big picnic areas and lovely clean, sandy beaches.”
Further up the road at Limelight owner Jenny Baker says swimwear has been selling well and she is pictured here with some.
But, she added, people’s thoughts are already turning to the things they will need when their children go back to school.
That means they are buying uniform for Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Guides as well as gym and ballet wear. She says she also stocks plimsolls now plugging a gap left when Woolworth’s closed.
One of Jenny’s favourite local outings is to Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum. “There are a lot of different things to see and do. Henry likes the cars, Rosemary likes the ducks and you can go in the house too if you like.”
Hairdresser Graham at the Cowburn Cutting Company, says he is seeing people opting for change by adding summer shades and highlights to their hair.
He was quick to name his ideal day out. He would take a picnic and spend his time on the Ashdown Forest.
At The Hobby Box owners Mark and Anne Tullett says remote control models are ideal for summer days when it’s good to be outside.
They have lots of boats, planes and cars to choose from.
Anne said that if she was to make a snap decision on where to go for a day out she would say Wakehurst Place, Ardingly. “I’ve never been there and I would like to see it,” she said.
At the cycle shop In-Gear Pete Roberts suggests people call in and take advantage of a free bike fit service before going on to choose the best bike to suit their build.
It’s worth remembering too that the shop will loan out wheels and saddles for one or two weeks to make sure you are happy with them before you buy.
Pictured busy in the workshop at In-Gear is James Brickell.
Pete’s recommendation for a day out is on two wheels enjoying the country lanes around Uckfield. He suggests heading for Barcombe and Isfield in one direction or the forest in another.
At Procter Health Care manager Elaine Ronaldson said four-wheel walkers were selling well. They were ideal for people struggling to walk far on their own and an inbuilt seat meant they could also pause for a rest whenever they wanted.
The shop also has a stock of wheelchairs for hire and people have been taking advantage of that service.
Elaine’s choice of destination for a day out would be the Sheffield Park garden where there are beautiful walks and views. “It’s nice and relaxing there as well,” she said.
At PC Ink and Media coloured paper can be ideal for children to cut out and stick on rainy days and for adults planning to catch up on sorting photos there are a variety of memory sticks to choose from for storage and photo papers when ready to print.
Anne Dopson said she always enjoys visits to beaches at Wittering or Camber Sands but the Bluebell Railway was always worth a visit too.
At Chameleon Jill Mills and Jo Sajner are starting to receive stock for a new menswear section in the shop.
Goods will be introduced over the next few weeks but the official launch will be towards the end of September. In the meantime women’s summer clothes are still selling well.
Here Jo, left, and Jill, right, are with one of their window models which they have named Mabel. Look out for Mabel and her companion Maud as you walk past.
Sew ‘n' Sew in the Bell Walk market place has moved back to its old spot and away from the window site it has occupied recently.
Catherine MacDonald says knitting and crochet work are pleasant hobbies when you have time on your hands and when you are sewing you’ll find most of the things you need there from elastic to buttons.
Catherine’s choice of day out would be a visit to the Ashdown Forest.
Kevin Baker at the shoe repair shop Soleman said the internet was proving a good source of business for him these days, particularly with pet tags.
He recommends Scuba diving for anybody looking for a holiday hobby. He had a trial session with Scuba 2000 at Ringmer and is now hooked.
Charles Mears-Lamb at Noble Wines recommends chilled Southern Lights, a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for summer evenings in the garden. He is selling bottles reduced from £9.99 to £6.99. “A bargain,” he said.
For an outing he suggests the Barnsgate Manor vineyard, the East Sussex National for golf and for children Drusillas or Bentley Wildfowl.
Next door at Kandey, owner Jenny Brooks said people are starting to think of their transitional wardrobes and she is beginning to stock light-weight knitwear, jeans, jackets and coats while still helping people find summer bargains.
Her choice for a day out would be a walk at the Seven Sisters Country Park.
Here at Uckfield News we hope you all enjoy your days out during the holiday. Please do tell us your favourite places for summer outings in the comments section below.
See also:
Planning restrictions planned for Bellbrook Business Park, Uckfield
Development could provide 700 jobs
Uckfield shop could be an office
Chance for cream tea at Marco Pierre White's Chequers, Maresfield
Phil aims to build UK's fastest electric drag-racing bike
(Added to site Sunday, August 1st, 2010)
