Latest Uckfield shopping news
A new shop selling hand-made wooden toys and sweets is due to open shortly at 168 High Street, Uckfield, according to Chris Lawson of commercial agents Lawson Commercial.
The shop has been empty for a while since the charity Ufosa pulled out of it. Before that it was used by Dixon Vince estate agents.
Mr Lawson said the people taking over have another shop in another part of Sussex too.
There’s no news yet of who will be taking over the former Fludes shop on the corner of High Street and Civic Approach. A business is keen to move in but it’s taking a while to draw up the contracts.
The owners don’t want to publicise what they do yet but Mr Lawson said he was sure they would be an asset to the town.
His business is also handling the letting of the former Craft Buddies shop set back from the High Street next to the Post Office.
“This is a classic case of if you don’t use a shop you will lose it,” said Mr Lawson.
Craft Buddies started off in Grange Road before moving across the road but when their lease came up for renewal the owners did an analysis of the business and found that most of it was coming from the internet so decided to give up the shop to concentrate on that.
“I think people don’t understand the huge impact of the internet on shops. Quite often landlords are blamed for them closing and this is just not the case,” said Mr Lawson.
There is already interest in the premises and three viewings were conducted within 24 hours of it going on to the Lawson Commercial books.
Mr Lawson has written a blog about Craft Buddies here: Success for Craft Buddies on the internet.
The former Sweet shop is still available next door to Cubitt and West estate agents.
Mr Lawson says the rent of £7,000 a year includes electricity and water rates. He added the owners might be prepared to do a deal on the rent.
Eat as much as you like for £5.95 at Courtyard Coffee Shop
A new summer menu has now been launched at the Courtyard Coffee Shop.
Owner Esra Baser is pictured here with some of her salads. There is an open buffet with hot and cold dishes and you can eat as much as you like for £5.95.
Water sports wear available at PipeDreams
Plenty of summer clothing including flip-flops, board shorts and bikinis are available at PipeDreams in Uckfield.
It is the place to go for water sports wear too, with wet suits, rash vests, wet boots and shoes available.
Scooters and scooter accessories are still proving popular and there’s a good range of colourful crash helmets to protect young riders.
Julie Hobbs, who owns the shop with husband David, said a lot of big indoor and outdoor parks make it compulsory for children to wear helmets.
Record sales at Sew n Sew
Sew n Sew & Haberdashery continues to do well.
Several times Trevor Brown and Lydia Prentice who run the business have reported record sales and sales soared even further during jubilee week.
“Lots of people are enjoying handicrafts and we have a good range of stock in now,” said Trevor.
For artwork and picture framing visit Diane Hutt Gallery
The artwork is constantly changing at the Diane Hutt Gallery so it is worth calling in there regularly and don't forget picture framing is offered too.
Diane is pictured here with one of the latest arrivals, New York by Henderson Cisz.
Astonish is a wonder product at The Bargain Store
At The Bargain Store owner Chris Sharp is delighted with his range of Astonish products which includes carpets and upholstery shampoo, disinfectant, mould and mildew remover.
“Everything costs £1. It’s fantastic stuff,” he said.
Remember Vim, the classic scourer - that can be found on the shelves of The Bargain Store too.
Bridesmaids shoes available at Limelight
Bridesmaids shoes, including ivory satin ballet shoes, are available at Limelight, the dance and gymwear shop, and there are some bridal shoes at just £15 a pair which used to be £65.
The shoes can be dyed to match your outfits.
There are still some bikinis and tankinis in the Limelight sale with up to 50% off and a good selection of ladies, girls and boys swimwear, googles and swimming hats are available.
Vegetable boxes popular at Hartfield's Produce Store
Vegetable boxes are still proving popular at Hartfield’s Produce Store either for £10, £15 or £20.
Customers are welcome to specify the vegetables they do and don’t want and shop owner James Hartfield says the boxes are made up with produce fresh from the market.
The menu there is expanding so if you haven’t been in recently it is worth going to see for yourself.
There’s plenty of room to sit and eat with extra space upstairs and the shop serves refreshments until 5pm each day.
Specialties include fresh fruit smoothies and freshly made salads.
Look out for a sale at Pilgrim
Look out this month for a sale at the lifestyle boutique Pilgrim.
Owner Mercedes Hall says there will be reductions of up to 50%.
In the meantime the newly introduced Ella Moda linen shirts and vests are selling well there.
(Added to site Sunday, July 1st, 2012)
