It’s been a few months since we last updated you on new village ventures – “and then there were three!”
Furniture, be
ds and other household items are the core business of High Street’s newest outlet Kellams. Patrick Kellam and his family only began trading from the former HSBC building on the 1st of March – and already they have more stock than will fit into the shop! It’s a new and second hand store offering a wide range of discounted goods – from larger items through to clothing, CDs, DVDs, computer games, handbags, accessories, knick-knacks and curios. Patrick says his stock is changing all the time “so it’s always worth popping in to find out the latest bargains”. They offer house clearances, and any donated items are sold in aid of the 45th Nottingham Boys’ Brigade.
Fringes are being tackled by Ruddington’s latest men’s hairdressing salon just along High Street. Martin’s Barbers is the new venture of former Flynn’s stylist Martin Booth – who set up shop in the former Beauty & The Barn premises at the end of March. “It’s a lovely historic building with a homely and cosy environment” says Martin “and I’m already getting a good trade from old and new customers who really like it”. So good, in fact, that last month he recruited two new
stylists, Greg and Christina, to help him out at busier times. “And there’s room to expand upstairs if business really takes off!” Pensioners get a discount from Monday to Thursday, too.
Fabrics actually used to be made in that building – a former frameknitting workshop – but the focus of such activity is now at Ruddington’s Framework Knitters’ Museum on Chapel Street which opened for the summer with a brand new gift shop. “The Little Textile Emporium” is the brainchild of recently appointed manager Paul Baker who wants to complement the fascinating working history of our village’s internationally acclaimed museum with the work of contemporary textile producers. “All products are individually made by craftspeople within a ten mile radius who often find it difficult to find a regular outlet for their products” says Paul. “But now people can come here to buy hand-made cushions, scarves, gloves, socks, purses, bags, brooches, keyrings, fabric cards & pictures, and much more. So I really hope villagers as well as visiting tourists will support them”.
Incidentally visitors can browse in the shop and also visit the Tea Room without paying an entrance fee for the museum. (By Graham Wright)