Sleeping Beauty comes to Uckfield
Look out for a BBC documentary called Sleeping Beauty because part of it was filmed at our own Fross Wedding Collections in Uckfield.
This High Street shop has been attracting a lot of media attention of late, read all about it later in this feature.
But first let's look at changes in the High Street over the last month, writes Cathy Watson.
They include the opening of the new Dixon Vince estate agency premises on the prominent corner of High Street and Church Street.
Partner Lance Dixon said flowers and cards of congratulation were sent by clients when the new office opened on Monday, August 16.
The estate agency has moved from 168 High Street and is making good use of the windows on the corner site to display property details.
Further up the High Street is The Clockery, where clocks are sold and repaired. This business has moved into town from Herstmonceux.
Further north still on the opposite side of the road is a new takeaway, the Curry Walah, which opened its doors last Monday evening.
Coming to town soon is a new lettings agency. Commercial agent Chris Lawson said the agency will be moving into the former mobile phone shop at the bottom of town.
It’s been an exciting time for Fross Hockley, owner of Fross Wedding Collections.
The shop has been re-branded, with new signage, reception area and window. It’s looking, and feeling, more spacious.
Fross is looking ahead to wedding exhibitions at the Brighton Metropole on October 3, Chatsworth Hotel, Worthing, on October 24, and at the East Sussex National Golf Hotel and Spa on October 31.
The internet is attracting additional interest in the business and Fross helped with a BBC documentary, still to be televised called Sleeping Beauty, about a girl suffering a condition which causes her to sleep for days at a time.
The girl was due to go to her school prom this year and was filmed visiting different shops to choose her dress. The one she wore was from Fross.
Sky TV has also filmed at the shop for a programme called Promzilla showing preparation for proms, from start to finish, including booking the limo and choosing the outfit.
Fross said it has been a very exciting time for the shop because they have also sold a wedding dress to the producer of the show Over the Rainbow and supplied wedding capes to Hello magazine to hide the wedding dresses of celebrity brides.
In our picture at Fross are Louisa O’Neill, left, and Sophie Williams.
Back in the town centre Chilli Peppers cafe bistro, set back from the High Street between Uckfield Electrics and the Post Office, is now presenting music on Saturday nights. You will be welcome to call in for more details.
Chilli Peppers will also be serving food – including jacket potatoes and chilli - during the Uckfield Bonfire Society carnival on Saturday night.
Chameleon’s new menswear department is open and proving popular.
On sale are smart shirts, casual t-shirts and jeans and winter stock should be arriving soon.
The shop is now planning further expansion and taking over an area which currently accommodates a beauty salon.
The Beauty Room is moving into new premises in Grange Road.
Alterations at Chameleon should be finished ready for opening in October, said Jill Mills.
Down at the Bell Walk market place Goodfellas has now settled in and serves traditional breakfasts throughout the day, along with jacket potatoes, pasta and pizzas during the afternoon. Takeaways are also available.
Manager Sharon Casterton is pictured here, centre, with Louise Durell, left and Sophie Leppard.
There’s a special offer running at Specsavers Opticians at the moment. Retail director John Parham says if you call for a private eye test and buy a pair of spectacles afterwards there will be no charge for the eye test.
Carvills have been planning for the end of their summer sale and are looking forward to displaying fresh stock including a new range of leather chairs.
Their first window displays following the sale will show a French-style painted bedroom range in one window and Neptune Chichester dining room range in the other.
Looking for a girlie gift? The Flower Shop sells much more than flowers and their organic range of bubble bath and their candles are going down well with customers.
Whether looking for a new outfit or something to compliment an outfit make sure you call in at Kandey. They have just displayed some new jewellery offering “contemporary glitzy glamour”.
There’s lots of sparkle in the Miss Chic and Gemini jewellery which contains Swarovski Crystals.
People are still thinking of holidays and at Co-operative Travel branch manager Stephanie Dyer said people are combining them with thoughts of Christmas by booking trips to picturesque markets in places such as Bruge and Cologne.
And, she said, as our weather is getting cooler people are booking cruises in warmer climes with the Caribbean a popular destination.
When it’s Tuesday think of David Angelo Hairdressing at 164 High Street, formerly The Garden Room.
They have a Mad Tuesday with half price colour on offer to people also having a cut and style.
Another offer running throughout the week is 20 per cent off for new clients.
Footcraft, where you can buy new shoes and well as take old ones for repair, is now also stocking a range of Guardian Safes which offer protection for property in the home from fire and flood as well as burglary. These safes range in price from about £300 to around £25,000 and are said to be virtually indestructible.
Have you got shopping tips for Uckfield News visitors? Do share them in our comments section below.
If you are an Uckfield trader and would like to see your shop mentioned in this monthly feature or on the Uckfield News website please call Cathy Watson on 01825 760102 or email her at cathy@uckfieldnews.com.
(Added to site Wednesday, September 1st, 2010)
