Some of the good things to look out for in Uckfield High Street
Have you visited A Taste of Birdineye yet at the Market Place in Uckfield?
It is an offshoot of the Birdineye Farm shop and gives a taste of what is available there.
Farmer Peter Berry said they were very pleased with the reaction to the new shop which sells meat from his and neighbouring farms, fresh vegetables, jams, chutney and cakes, pies and soup made on the premises.
Sally Bland, in our picture, says she is also planning to make pasta and curry sauces too.
Peter is hoping more businesses will now be attracted to the Market Hall.
“It is ideal for us with people walking by, probably better than a traditional shop, but it desperately needs rejuvenating,” he said.
Cycling travel agents would appreciate support
Staff at Uckfield’s Co-operative Travel agency are taking part in a sponsored cycle ride starting on Wednesday, April 20, and would appreciate your support.
Manager Tutti-Rose and her colleagues Georgie Lord and Karina Bowring will be cycling 110 miles from Uckfield to Le Havre to raise funds for Mencap, the company’s charity of the year.
“We are hoping to raise about £1,000 and plan to cycle for seven to eight hours a day, 14 to 15 miles a day. That will be quite a challenge because none of us have ever ridden a bike,” said Tutti-Rose.
If you would like to support their efforts please call in to the High Street shop.
Taurie looks forward to new challenge
At Chilli Peppers owner Taurie Linstead, pictured here, is excited to be taking over The Hop Barn.
She stresses nothing will change there in the short term.
“We will be keeping all the things people love and adding to them. One exciting addition will be the summer salad bar.”
Taurie hopes to move in May. She is currently recruiting an experienced cook so do contact her if you are interested.
Read more in our earlier story: Owner of Chilli Peppers to take over Hop Barn.
Buffet lunches now available at Courtyard
Buffet lunches and salads are now available at the Courtyard Coffee Shop.
We wrote in Personal Shopper last month about Esra Baser taking over the shop.
She is gradually making changes and the courtyard area outside the shop is beginning to look pretty with the addition of hanging baskets and boxes of plants.
Esra also runs an outside catering company and can provide food for events ranging from picnics to buffets and dinners for eight to 250 people.
Best Wishes owners pleased with refurbishment
Down the road at the card shop Best Wishes, owners Maxine and Colin Spowart are pleased with the refurbishment of their shop undertaken with the help of partners Hallmark.
Maxine said: “The shop has been here for 20 years. We are the second owners and have been here for three years. The shop was looking very tired and has now had the lift it needed.”
Maxine and Colin live in Crowborough but their staff are from Uckfield.
Spring and summer stock is arriving at Chameleon and Iron Fist shoes have just arrived.
The shop has special offers on tanning too so make sure you ask about those when calling in.
At Tres Joli, the lingerie boutique next door to Chameleon, the arrival of new swimwear and beachwear is expected in the second week of April. Sea Folly is a quality Australian brand, says shop owner Kay Bevan.
If you are in spring cleaning mode then Sew n Sew & Haberdashery is the place to find tools for the job.
Their Sweepa range consists of broom, brush and lint brush and is very popular.
Make sure you ask for a demonstration of their spinning mop too – no more desperate squeezing of a mop in a bucket now, this device spins your mop for you.
At Soleman people mentioning the Uckfield News website are offered 20 per cent off shoe repairs during April.
In our picture Soleman's Adam Notman can be seen at work there.
Business has been brisk at The Bargain Store.
Chris Sharp who owns the shop with partner Cynth Kennedy said the warm weather brought people out in droves on Saturday.
They have plenty of goods ready for outdoor use this summer including lilos, arm bands, swimming goggles, snorkel and mask sets and Frisbees.
The price of gold is going up and at George Moss jewellers managing director Robert Suckling is placing more of a focus on second hand jewellery, particularly diamond rings and watches.
He says prestigious watches such as Rolex, Omega and Cartier represent good value if you are looking to buy and come with a 12 month guarantee.
Gold is priced according to weight and so buyers have a very clear idea of what they are paying for.
Take a look on the walls inside Carvills. There are a lot of new pictures and clocks to tempt you.
Also there Nougat fragrances have proved popular with women and now the company has created a new brand for men NGT by Nougat.
“The ladies fragrances have been very successful and well received and there has been a really positive response to the men’s range,” said Mark Arno.
“People have been buying for themselves, rather than just as presents, and that is always a good sign.”
The Flower Shop is the place to go for your Mother’s Day flowers and there are some pretty ceramic pots on sale if you would prefer to buy a plant instead of bouquet.
At Kandey the burst of warmer weather kept owner Jenny Brook busy. “Saturday was an amazing day, really good for summer dresses.”
Jenny found that with many dresses priced at £23 and under people were buying two or three at a time and the same with handbags ... one customer bought four.
“I think people are enjoying colour co-ordinating their handbags and outfits and green seems particularly popular,” she said.
Mothers Day treats are on offer at Noble Wines with Veuve du Vernay, a sparkling rose, and a bunch of Roses, the chocolate variety, available for £9.99.
There is Champagne too with a good deal on Fluteau at £26.99, identical to but half the price of Laurent Perrier, according to shop owner Charles Mears Lamb.
Grace Murphy from Ridgewood is settling into her new shop next door to A and A News.
She is selling a range of lacquered wooden and bamboo ornaments.
Grace has a short lease on the premises until June.
If the business does well she will stay in town otherwise will move on to another place with her stock.
See also:
April Business Scene: Uckfield firms go the extra mile
(Added to site Friday, April 1st, 2011)
