tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72198535693900095022024-03-05T07:04:15.012+00:00West Malling Local Shops BlogWelcome to the Blog for West Malling Local Shops part of the Local Shops brand. Find articles and posts relating to West Malling in Kent. Visit our website, Facebook and Twitter too all of which share lots of local information and promote community events and other news from West Malling and the surrounding area. An up to date listing of shops and local businesses and latest news. Thank you for your interest. www.west-malling.local-shops.co.uk
West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-36967920053477358492014-04-04T17:44:00.000+01:002014-04-04T18:18:22.064+01:00Monks Clothing: Exclusive Menswear for West Malling<div class="MsoNormal">
West Malling town centre is currently seeing a real boom in
<a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops" target="_blank">independent retailers,</a> and <b><a href="http://monksclothing.co.uk/" target="_blank">Monks Clothing</a></b>, a Swan Street boutique selling
designer menswear, launched its flagship store at the end of 2013. Aptly named
with its proximity to the Abbey, <b>Monks Clothing</b> perfectly fulfils the need for
a menswear counterpart to womenswear store <b><a href="http://www.fragolinashop.co.uk/" target="_blank">Fragolina</a></b>, and childrenswear shop
<a href="http://www.soleswithheart.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Soles with Heart</b>.</a> The Swan Street area now provides a local fashion retail
venue for the whole family.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jH5t-62VOC6PxKydnkDu2unpGosu4u1w00NrR2O2hQoJceNC1l2A22DHAOLO6kJBW5_gyPODA3Dp8TMFiFEsfDl7Mt-aFzlh9fRLfyDiDiaTBggGiTxvnkw05EyYc04v50w2etPIweA/s1600/monk+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jH5t-62VOC6PxKydnkDu2unpGosu4u1w00NrR2O2hQoJceNC1l2A22DHAOLO6kJBW5_gyPODA3Dp8TMFiFEsfDl7Mt-aFzlh9fRLfyDiDiaTBggGiTxvnkw05EyYc04v50w2etPIweA/s1600/monk+4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monks Clothing - Swan Street - West Malling</td></tr>
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Originally launched online, <b>Monks Clothing </b>was also keen to
open a bricks and mortar store and hopes to expand further, with more shops in
Kent planned within the next five years. This follows a growing trend for
online fashion retailers to also open physical stores, providing multiple
shopping channels and allowing their customers to handle products, try on
clothing, and interact with their brands in a much more physical way than they
can online.<o:p></o:p><br />
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We caught up with Amy Barker from <b>Monk’s Clothing</b> to
discover a bit more about the products available in store, and to find out how the
business is enjoying trading in West Malling: <br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>What is the ethos
behind the Monks Clothing store?<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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At Monks Clothing it's really important we give our
customers a personalised service. We like to say we are "run by
people...not computers" and put the traditional values back into shopping.
Customers have the chance to browse in a relaxed environment without the stress
and hassle of going to large shopping centres. All our brands are quite niche
and we stock a limited amount of each style to keep exclusivity. We currently
stock <a href="http://monksclothing.co.uk/collections/religion">Religion
menswear</a>, <a href="http://monksclothing.co.uk/collections/pearly-king-clothes">Pearly King
Clothing</a> and <a href="http://monksclothing.co.uk/collections/bellfield">Bellfield
clothing</a> and we are soon to stock Luke clothing which is a slightly more upmarket
brand. <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>What’s your
bestselling item or line?<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6WMLqi3x6cGh3_dsUjRuZZ_sm-inalk6HDBBE-qrLRCpuuUasAam6x9VrPBDX0bIKGtTY5B46fIrSD5tFklZfbJ5GMtdsOwcfbLcRht9HPVwvAO8V8qjp1jpyVxZMjral46WhDXMIyg/s1600/monk+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6WMLqi3x6cGh3_dsUjRuZZ_sm-inalk6HDBBE-qrLRCpuuUasAam6x9VrPBDX0bIKGtTY5B46fIrSD5tFklZfbJ5GMtdsOwcfbLcRht9HPVwvAO8V8qjp1jpyVxZMjral46WhDXMIyg/s1600/monk+1.jpg" height="400" width="264" /></a>Our best selling items are probably denim jeans. The Pearly
King jeans are hand finished in the UK and are created using carefully selected
threads and dying processes for a truly unique finish. Pearly King is probably
our most popular line too, it's really exclusive for the area and all the
garments are cut by hand and designed and finished in London with impeccable
attention to detail.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Do you have any
special suppliers, maybe a personal favourite?<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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One of our favourite suppliers is <a href="http://monksclothing.co.uk/collections/hudson-footwear">Hudson footwear</a>.
They are very helpful to work with and we can always order our customers shoes
that we don't even stock.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>What made you choose
West Malling as the location for your store?<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/" target="_blank">West Malling </a></b>is such a beautiful and unique town. It has a
real community spirit behind it and has so much potential. Having grown up in
the town I have seen it develop and change dramatically and until recently the
town had been dominated by bars and restaurants. The more different shops,
restaurants, and cafés there are in the town the more reasons people have to
come in. <br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>How do you find your
Swan Street location?<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Swan Street itself is a fantastic location and the past year
has seen some big changes. Being located off the main High Street means we
don't get quite as much footfall but there are plenty of reasons for people to
visit Swan Street now so that is changing.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>How often do you
change the window displays and how important is that for passing trade? <o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
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We try and change the window display every Friday. We find
the window really pulls in new customers that maybe wouldn't have come in
otherwise. It’s vital to let customers know about our new stock and we are
hoping to come up with some more creative and interesting ways of displaying
our clothes over the next year.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>How do your customers
find the parking availability?<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Parking is certainly the biggest issue with West Malling but
it’s always possible to find a space. Customers can also park in the business
car park after 3pm on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>How have you found
your first few months of trading to be?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
We opened before Christmas so certainly started on a high. We’ve been very blessed to already have built up a loyal customer base, with many customers from West Malling, Leybourne, and Kings Hill. We find residents of the West Malling area are very keen to support local trade which is great for us!<b><br /><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZSghwElQW7Gkwzdtrt-R1TeRN1bvcT8aIX1Cn1Pk_gacsF0bymPR7LYpDCPjl1LATG22uoBPeXTuZe6pinn3XoKbwDEzV_56fFaCoQLvMHCA2fuAztzKegPw1elTYR1DKCHEG6ryobQ/s1600/monk+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZSghwElQW7Gkwzdtrt-R1TeRN1bvcT8aIX1Cn1Pk_gacsF0bymPR7LYpDCPjl1LATG22uoBPeXTuZe6pinn3XoKbwDEzV_56fFaCoQLvMHCA2fuAztzKegPw1elTYR1DKCHEG6ryobQ/s1600/monk+3.jpg" height="264" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<b>What do your
customers enjoy most about your store?<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
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Customers always comment on the interior of the store. I
think it really sets the mood! They love the selection of clothes, the
exclusivity of the brands, and the high turnover of new products we get in. We
have also recently launched a loyalty scheme which is great as customers can
now be rewarded for shopping with us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We’d like to thank <b>Monks Clothing </b>for taking the time to
talk to us, and for its part in increasing the range of shopping possibilities
for local residents and visitors to <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/" target="_blank">West Malling town centre</a>. We wish Monks
continued success with its new outlet.<br />
<br />
If you haven’t yet ventured into the
Monk’s Clothing store why not pop in this weekend? Alternatively if you’re
already a Monk’s Clothing customer we’d love to hear from you in the comments
box below. <o:p></o:p></div>
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West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19 6NE, UK51.2934126 0.4077675999999428351.2921716 0.40524609999994282 51.294653600000004 0.41028909999994284tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-59799022281332182292014-03-08T19:28:00.000+00:002014-03-10T08:51:10.109+00:00Challenge Yourself with the Heart of Kent Cyclo Sportive 2014If you’re looking for a personal challenge and an
opportunity to support a wonderful cause all rolled into one, then it’s time to
sign up for the<a href="http://www.hokh.org/events/event-detail/heart-of-kent-cyclo-sportive1" target="_blank"> Heart of Kent Cyclo Sportive</a>. Organised by the <b>Heart of KentHospice</b>, the 100km timed cycle ride takes place on 27<sup>th</sup> April 2014
through the beautiful Kent countryside. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXn6mYz7LEIA1UkFv_CzpEMrPrnVTIhh5GuAOAifaSNa6Cz_V-mA0RQXkxc9_PRK51qasy7IuuLR4OWdDkiPf85vhXEQVOj0Y8xzGSyvSavYRstDzGRrdNTlWIZwoAGNg3h57MeTuitc/s1600/Cyclo_Sportive_Banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXn6mYz7LEIA1UkFv_CzpEMrPrnVTIhh5GuAOAifaSNa6Cz_V-mA0RQXkxc9_PRK51qasy7IuuLR4OWdDkiPf85vhXEQVOj0Y8xzGSyvSavYRstDzGRrdNTlWIZwoAGNg3h57MeTuitc/s1600/Cyclo_Sportive_Banner.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heart of Kent Hospice Cyclo Sportive 27 April 2014</td></tr>
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Starting at the <b>East Malling Research</b> on Kiln Barn Road in Ditton,
the circular route passes through towns and villages such as Wateringbury,
Yalding, Staplehurst, Headcorn, Frittenden, East Peckham, Offham, and West
Malling. In addition to the full 100km route, there are also two shorter
circular routes. One loops back at Staplehurst and is 65km long, while the
other loops back at Yalding and is 38km. All routes are well signposted.<br />
<br />
Known as the cycle of care, this event is a real physical
challenge due to the undulating Kent countryside. There are feed stations on
both the 100km and 65km route, and participants will be challenged to achieve a
specified time based on their age and gender. <br />
<br />
On the day, registration for the full route begins at 7.30
am, with the cycle starting at 8.30am. Entry costs £35 per person. For those
riding the shorter routes, registration commences at 8.30am and the cycle
begins at 9.00am. The cost for participating in the shorter routes is £30. To sign
up for the event, or to take a look at maps for the three routes, visit the
Heart of Kent Hospice website. <a href="http://www.hokh.org/events/event-detail/heart-of-kent-cyclo-sportive1">http://www.hokh.org/events/event-detail/heart-of-kent-cyclo-sportive1</a>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Heart of Kent
Hospice </b></div>
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The <b>Cycle Sportive</b> is one of many events organised
throughout the year to support the <a href="http://www.hokh.org/" target="_blank">Heart of Kent Hospice</a>. The hospice is a
registered charity that provides invaluable palliative care to people with life
limiting illnesses throughout the area, including Maidstone, Tonbridge and
Malling, and Aylesford. At any one time the charity may be providing care and
support for up to 350 patients as well as their families and carers. They offer
care, comfort, compassion, and hope during a time of great need. Services that
they provide include inpatient care, family support, care at home, day therapy,
and education and training. </div>
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The care and support that the Heart of Kent Hospice provides
is free of charge to those that need it. However the cost of providing those
services comes to around £3.8 million per year, £2.7 million of which must be
financed through fundraising. This makes events such as the Heart of Kent Cyclo
Sportive vital to ensuring that the hospice can continue to provide the
services that are so vital to local people.</div>
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If you’re not convinced you can cycle 100km, there are
plenty of less energetic events on the Heart of Kent Hospice fundraising
calendar. On <b>March 20<sup>th</sup> there is a Charity Ladies Lunch</b>, on <b>April 1<sup>st</sup>
there is an Open Garden Scheme</b>, and on <b>19<sup>th</sup> July there is a Wild
West Walk</b>. Alternatively why not visit the Heart of Kent Hospice shop on W<b>est Malling
High Street</b> for high quality branded fashion as well as antiques and
collectables? However you choose to support this valuable local charity you can
be sure your contribution will make a real difference to patients suffering
from life limiting illness. </div>
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West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19 6NE, UK51.2934126 0.4077675999999428351.2921716 0.40524609999994282 51.294653600000004 0.41028909999994284tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-19277550676116494582014-01-24T08:59:00.000+00:002014-01-24T08:59:38.082+00:00The Changing Face of Historic High Streets <div style="text-align: right;">
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A recent report commissioned by English Heritage, The Changing Face of the High Street: Decline and Revival, looked into trends, developments, and changes in historic high streets and town centres in the UK. We thought its findings might be relevant and hold some valuable lessons for the town of West Malling. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bold Street, Liverpool</td></tr>
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The report was intended to discover the impact of social, technological, and demographic changes in <br />
town centres, and more particularly the way this could affect historic buildings, streets, and spaces. Many historic town centres and high streets, including those of West Malling, have grown up around the evolution of trade and retail, and the health of local retail is very much intertwined with the maintenance of local heritage. <br />
<br />
There are many factors that have had an impact on UK high streets in the last decade. Large national chain stores began appearing in every town, often making it difficult for independent retailers to compete. Gradually these stores began to shift to out of town shopping centres for more retail space and better parking, or began to close down due to the economic downturn. <br />
<br />
This left many vacant town centre units, often in historic buildings, which were either left unoccupied, or were occupied by value retailers who could fill the large spaces. Many of the services such as banks and post offices that traditionally occupied significant historical buildings within a town began to close down, increasing the burden to maintain these properties.<br />
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<b>A Positive Outlook for Historic High Streets </b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
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However there is some very positive news for historic high streets and, according to the Local Data Company, independent retailers have seen a growth in floor space in the last year, compared with a decline in floor space for national multiples. Independent retailers are vital in providing a sustainable economy and a sense of uniqueness to a town. <br />
<br />
The traditional high street has an important role to play in community identity, and many people have a strong commitment to their local town centre. The English Heritage report suggests that both locals and visitors to a town are looking for a sense of place and of individuality, which is often based upon the heritage of the town. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcY5XTwqR5u6ESoYHpsGcMVYjopchS5w3xha8QT2WkjP-5I27IIIVV6gyqbq_g2KjqARsKtQmlRSKtT3-TWCnQIsrAaMboQfaf5C1a2uMm3F94xvDsCXk6e2rCFamIDgPPHZo-8oh-JTA/s1600/Slider-old-photo_opt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bear High Stret, West Malling" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcY5XTwqR5u6ESoYHpsGcMVYjopchS5w3xha8QT2WkjP-5I27IIIVV6gyqbq_g2KjqARsKtQmlRSKtT3-TWCnQIsrAaMboQfaf5C1a2uMm3F94xvDsCXk6e2rCFamIDgPPHZo-8oh-JTA/s1600/Slider-old-photo_opt.jpg" height="171" title="Bear High Stret, West Malling" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Malling High Street (outside The Bear now The Farmhouse)</td></tr>
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One of the prevailing findings of the report is that town centres need to be about more than just shopping, with visitors wanting a leisure experience that might include tourist and cultural attractions, places to eat and drink, and entertainment venues such as cinemas or theatres, as well as retail stores.<br />
<br />
According to Baroness Kay Andrews, chair of English Heritage, “At a time when people are increasingly looking for a leisure experience rather than simply a range of shops to visit, such an approach can help in creating a greater sense of ‘destination’ and potentially competitive advantage.”<br />
<br />
The report looked at a number of strategies that can be adopted by historic towns to ensure that they continue to thrive, even as retail patterns continue to change. Here are a couple of the key strategies they outlined for smaller towns: <br />
<br />
• <b>Refurbishing and reusing heritage assets.</b> Often existing historic buildings can be sympathetically redeveloped to increase footfall in the town. An example is given of the listed nineteenth century Market Hall in Bolton, which has been restored and converted to a town-centre shopping and eating area.<br />
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• <b>Rejuvenating the tourist economy</b>. Heritage towns such as West Malling have a fascinating history, and a wealth of buildings or spaces that could be used as small scale tourist attractions that would give visitors something other than shopping to do whilst visiting the town. A town tour, or simple signs giving details about places of interest can work well. <br />
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• <b>Providing leisure activities.</b> Making sure that visitors and residents have something to do apart from shopping is an effective way to maintain historic centres. Apart from tourist attractions already mentioned, cafes and restaurants, libraries, exhibitions, cinemas, and children’s play areas all give people a reason to visit town centres. Casual dining is now particularly important.<br />
<br />
• <b>Integrating a food store with a historic centre.</b> Those that support local shopping may dislike the idea of integrating a food store into a historic town, but supermarkets have become experts at developing stores that fit the space and appearance constraints of historic centres, and they do attract shoppers who may well then use other shops and facilities in the town. <br />
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The report indicates that often small scale local interventions and creative initiatives can be just as effective as large scale investments, because they are owned by the community and defined by history and heritage. There can’t be one scheme that works for all historic centres; the most successful are those that recognise the need for local distinctiveness and make the best of what they have.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb31E27n7mgRZJf3Iqx1nB-aEPZMJyLeYwpaSF7QPX0ZDsD8bbZKnEmV9vyVK7aUkSXEhU4eGWS7_tGaUjYs9SDTdeglQlalMH2J8dyRPkIbF4rQEKcRShWf5h4U7crWkQ2LBmLSE6vo/s1600/hertfordshire+high+street.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Market Square, Hertfordshire" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb31E27n7mgRZJf3Iqx1nB-aEPZMJyLeYwpaSF7QPX0ZDsD8bbZKnEmV9vyVK7aUkSXEhU4eGWS7_tGaUjYs9SDTdeglQlalMH2J8dyRPkIbF4rQEKcRShWf5h4U7crWkQ2LBmLSE6vo/s1600/hertfordshire+high+street.png" height="255" title="Market Square, Hertfordshire" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Market Square, Hertfordshire</td></tr>
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One case study in the report looks at the town of Rotherham, which has been gradually taking a number of small steps to regenerate its historic centre. These have included the restoration of the Imperial Buildings which is an Edwardian shopping arcade, the general repair and maintenance of historic buildings, improved parking in the town, a shop local discount scheme for residents, a program of outdoor community events, floodlighting local landmarks, and encouraging family friendly restaurants so visitors have a reason to stay in the town after the shops have closed. <br />
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Overall the report, which was prepared by Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners, recognised that reviving and maintaining historic centres will never be an easy task, but indicated that there have been some positive results from innovative approaches, even in testing economic times. They suggest that small scale projects that embrace the individuality of each historic town, identify how to make the most of what the town already has, and incorporate leisure and entertainment as well as shopping, are the most likely to succeed. <br />
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You can read the entire report at <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/changing-face-high-street-decline-revival/773_130604_final_retail_and_town_centre.pdf">http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/changing-face-high-street-decline-revival/773_130604_final_retail_and_town_centre.pdf</a>West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19, UK51.2944249 0.4087839999999687351.2745649 0.36844349999996873 51.314284900000004 0.44912449999996873tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-7027299391996388232013-12-16T19:45:00.000+00:002013-12-16T19:45:04.758+00:00Biffo & Spanky Special Christmas Hampers - Made to Order<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hidden away behind The Farmhouse restaurant and the car park behind the local Tesco store in West Malling High Street is a wonderful little delicatessen called <b>Biffo & Spank</b>y, where you always receive a warm and friendly welcome from Mick and Richard.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorTzxVStOufI_A9zF-4cbhzKPw0u8WBVk68WnV9hTu3uCsacTFIEkAbzEf_jEyHDvQcpKjIjzBfsy_mFw19zRGtncNPsLW6P8rMWVmq48kuqOIWK8WafvraDRi7M3L_ZQjkapTrKl68g/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorTzxVStOufI_A9zF-4cbhzKPw0u8WBVk68WnV9hTu3uCsacTFIEkAbzEf_jEyHDvQcpKjIjzBfsy_mFw19zRGtncNPsLW6P8rMWVmq48kuqOIWK8WafvraDRi7M3L_ZQjkapTrKl68g/s400/photo+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mick & Richard will make up a Christmas Hamper of your choice</td></tr>
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Biffo & Spanky offers a special made to order Christmas Hamper service with a superb range of quality foods, fine meats and cheeses, quality teas and coffees, truffles, crackers, pates, caviar, dips, bread, olives, fine spirits, wines or fresh coffee beans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgo8EKJqeC5X_VpUaXQ7poxolkqZ2JuYRc2ytvJwdq9FXPZVd0RzdS0llEioJ_ekvFjDaQsvekuqloSOf5_j9fSD6fzKsw26mMEGyrzt7IQapn-xUh11EZYxgY7M7aWVIri59KDJiMhL0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgo8EKJqeC5X_VpUaXQ7poxolkqZ2JuYRc2ytvJwdq9FXPZVd0RzdS0llEioJ_ekvFjDaQsvekuqloSOf5_j9fSD6fzKsw26mMEGyrzt7IQapn-xUh11EZYxgY7M7aWVIri59KDJiMhL0/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Hampers - Made to Order at Biffo & Spanky</td></tr>
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It is impossible not to be welcomed into this lovely, little barn where you can choose from their huge selection of special foods and ask for a Christmas Hamper that is made especially to your request.<br /><br />
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Maybe Grandad loves those special cheeses or Grandma would love some Chocolate Truffles with her favourite ground coffee beans! Why not pop in and ask for your very own hamper to be made up.<br />
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And once you've chosen they will put your items into a lovely wicker basket and wrap it for you!. And all service comes with a smile and the odd "Christmas Cracker" of a joke!<br />
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Enjoy a coffee while you wait or give them a call on <b>01732 <span>871717</span></b> to find out more......<br />
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West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19 6NA, UK51.2938801 0.408652699999947851.2926391 0.40613119999994779 51.2951211 0.41117419999994781tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-36274841251465051252013-12-13T15:49:00.000+00:002013-12-16T19:10:27.206+00:00West Malling Christmas Gift Guide<h1>
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It’s that time of year when the <b>Christmas</b> lights have already been switched on and we really need to give some serious thought to <b>Christmas shopping</b>. The great news is you don’t have to spend days trawling around Bluewater, or wrestle the crowds on Oxford Street; you can buy gifts for all your friends and family right here in <b>West Malling</b>!<br />
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Here are a few ideas to get you started if you’re heading out Christmas shopping in West Malling:<br />
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<b>Christmas Gifts for Women</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Jy0pr9kOv_pWd-DrDTjHAhifD7JduXCf3cXQy1PljRwxoq94D_2opFzXNPRvbQyHidKRfTVNXLcze_0MDtHFkqdTpZA1j1MsQMCxFoKdc4wNbQCvaSQhDnCFfYus1EJTgIs6AyyJbqA/s1600/FragolinaShopWindow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Jy0pr9kOv_pWd-DrDTjHAhifD7JduXCf3cXQy1PljRwxoq94D_2opFzXNPRvbQyHidKRfTVNXLcze_0MDtHFkqdTpZA1j1MsQMCxFoKdc4wNbQCvaSQhDnCFfYus1EJTgIs6AyyJbqA/s320/FragolinaShopWindow.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fragolina Shop - Swan Street</td></tr>
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You’ll be spoilt for choice if you’re looking for Christmas gifts for your wife, girlfriend, mother, or sister in West Malling. For something sparkly you could visit <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/jewellery/martin-wilde-jewellers" target="_blank" title="Martin Wilde Jewellery">Martin Wilde Jewellery</a>, where you can choose from a superb selection of ready-made necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, or you can have a bespoke piece designed in their on-site workshop. Alternatively <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/jewellery/p-s-jewellery" target="_blank" title="P's Jewellery">P’s Jewellery</a> stocks colourful gemstone and bead jewellery, which would be just as suitable for a teenage daughter as for a grown up sister.<br />
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West
Malling shops are full of accessories for women that make wonderful
Christmas gifts. For a completely unique selection of scarves, purses,
and belts, alongside a range of vintage style clothing, pay a visit to <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/womenswear/fragolina" target="_blank" title="Fragolina">Fragolina</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KKlT-qVP1Ta6I7-QNAPlzUBbzK0SkagW8IhvaqU3m0H4rD8Q2NC4qegWZMR2F5ZpWUJuxa9gVP6Uw7aN70mx4N7HlUABejLU5kD9I4xZEM4GltCfXgmBH82704GixAGxWBZ6PVxkBRE/s1600/Katies+Candles+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KKlT-qVP1Ta6I7-QNAPlzUBbzK0SkagW8IhvaqU3m0H4rD8Q2NC4qegWZMR2F5ZpWUJuxa9gVP6Uw7aN70mx4N7HlUABejLU5kD9I4xZEM4GltCfXgmBH82704GixAGxWBZ6PVxkBRE/s320/Katies+Candles+Christmas.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie's Candles - Abbey Arcade</td></tr>
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For unusual handbags and jewellery from Toxic Angel, check out <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/abbey-arcade/beauty-and-treats-abbey-arcade" target="_blank" title="Beauty and Treats">Beauty and Treats</a> in the <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/abbey-arcade" target="_blank" title="Abbey Arcade">Abbey Arcade</a>. Designer handbags from the likes of Zandra Rhodes, Fiorelli and Modolu can be found at <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/womenswear/number-39" target="_blank" title="Number 39">Number 39</a>, alongside a range of shoes and other accessories.Ladies love to be pampered at Christmas, so why not pop into <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/beauty/miramira" target="_blank" title="MiraMira">MiraMira</a> for a toiletry gift pack or a treatment voucher? Alternatively some luxurious scented candles from <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/cards-and-gifts/katies-candles-and-gifts" target="_blank" title="Katie's Candles">Katie’s Candles</a>, in a gorgeously exotic scent such as coconut and mango, can help her to relax and unwind. If you’re looking for designer lingerie or nightwear, <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/womenswear/josh-lingerie" target="_blank" title="Josh Lingerie">Josh Lingerie</a> is the place to go. Finally, for tea light holders, lamps, and slippers, Morocco Land has a unique selection of hand crafted gifts.<br />
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<b>Christmas Gifts for Men</b><br />
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Men are notoriously hard to buy for, but whatever they’re into we have it covered in West Malling. Your first stop should be the new Monks Clothing store, which stocks menswear brands such as Bellfield, Pearly King, and Religion, and can provide anything from cosy Christmas jumpers to hat and scarf sets. If your husband, father, or brother loves his kitchen gadgets, then make sure you pop into the Smith & Webb Cookshop where they sell everything from coffee machines to slow cookers.<br />
For men that enjoy the great outdoors, <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/outdoor/moor-and-mountain" target="_blank" title="Moor and Mountain">Moor and Mountain</a> is a treasure trove of gift ideas. From headlamps and compasses to waterproof jackets and ski goggles, they stock a great range of outdoor clothing and accessories. If you’re buying a gift for a keen fisherman, you may also want to check out West Malling Angling for specific fishing gifts.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moor and Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For men that enjoy their artwork, pay a visit to The Gallery in the Mill Yard. You can choose from a varied range of prints, or paintings by local artists, or you could have a special print or photograph of your own framed in their workshop. Dads and granddads would love a photo of the children for Christmas, so why not book a family photo shoot with the White Studio and have an image framed or printed on canvas?<br />
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<b>Christmas Gifts for Children</b><br />
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Christmas is all about children, so we couldn’t write a West Malling Christmas gift guide without including something for the kids. For a lovely range of toys and stocking fillers, as well as activity and colouring books, pop into the Post Office. You can buy the stamps for your Christmas cards at the same time!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Childrens Shoes from Soles With Heart - Swan Street</td></tr>
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Across the road at <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/childrenswear/soles-with-heart" target="_blank" title="Soles With Heart">Soles With Heart</a>, you can pick up colourful boots or trainers that would suit children and teenagers of all ages, as well as hair accessories, wellies, fluffy slippers, and children’s jewellery. Cater to their sweet tooth when you visit Chocolate Umbrella. Their original sweet Christmas cakes can be made to order and are guaranteed to be a success on Christmas Day. They also stock chocolate Santas, Christmas lollies, and edible decorations for your little ones to hang on the tree.West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19, UK51.2944249 0.4087839999999687351.2745649 0.36844349999996873 51.314284900000004 0.44912449999996873tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-52277254854875519592013-11-22T15:19:00.001+00:002013-11-22T18:27:35.668+00:00Christmas Shopping in West Malling<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]-->Christmas is a time when community spirit is at its best, so it’s a wonderful opportunity to support your local shops and businesses. We all shop and spend more in the run up to Christmas, so if that extra money can be spent in <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops" target="_blank">neighbourhood shops</a>, on locally sourced products, it can help to sustain our local economies. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO0g7QNAQk-U3txAtECjIrHxjfBp6BJKIQUO44fehXApIldiBktPvnHIShqg-ZCH-qJT0iQ2JPvEOL8CNR7revrO6MBiven1cQl-sxGISN9-dlIjXrxJQzm0RaXDKCOA0ja-KlKATDrY/s1600/iStock_000018426895XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO0g7QNAQk-U3txAtECjIrHxjfBp6BJKIQUO44fehXApIldiBktPvnHIShqg-ZCH-qJT0iQ2JPvEOL8CNR7revrO6MBiven1cQl-sxGISN9-dlIjXrxJQzm0RaXDKCOA0ja-KlKATDrY/s320/iStock_000018426895XSmall.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
Walking into your local town to browse for Christmas goodies will make you feel far more festive than picking them up in the supermarket, and you may find the quality of the products in the local shops is so much better you carry on shopping there right through the New Year. <br />
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In a recent post we looked at the many advantages of shopping locally. These included the opportunity of buying fresh, local, organic produce that hasn’t travelled halfway around the world, the personal friendly service you receive in small local stores, and the environmentally friendly effect of walking into town rather than driving to out-of-town stores. All these benefits are particularly relevant during the Christmas period.<br />
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If you’d like to support the <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/" target="_blank">local shops</a> and suppliers of the West Malling area when you’re preparing for Christmas this year, here are a few ideas on where you can pick up those festive essentials:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv_ugXTpkOjYWAFITEzY8ff6MQoE1DZZjhZl_8ZUfMizI0MEcnhbBqBw8e4VzFPjGyYtzFgvmHmn2zFWtlI4UvhyNsFZgqYQDuZ1bk8ZTcMKggi-86tJ3De0Zkqgaw4eTmPqejBFGSl4/s1600/spadework-farm-shop-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv_ugXTpkOjYWAFITEzY8ff6MQoE1DZZjhZl_8ZUfMizI0MEcnhbBqBw8e4VzFPjGyYtzFgvmHmn2zFWtlI4UvhyNsFZgqYQDuZ1bk8ZTcMKggi-86tJ3De0Zkqgaw4eTmPqejBFGSl4/s1600/spadework-farm-shop-300.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Christmas turkey.</b> The most important item on anyone’s Christmas shopping list is a turkey for the big day. Why not combine shopping locally with supporting a worthwhile charity, when you order a delicious organic Christmas turkey from <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/farm-shops/spadework-farm-shop" target="_blank">Spadework Farm Shop</a>? Spadework is a charity that enables people with learning difficulties to develop independence and personal skills. Why not pick up your Christmas tree while you’re placing your order?<br />
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<b>Christmas veggies.</b> This is an easy one as there’s no better place to pick up fresh, locally produced vegetables than the <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/west-malling-farmers-market" target="_blank">West Malling Farmer’s Market</a>. Held in the High Street on the fourth Sunday of each month, the farmer’s market is beautifully timed to take place on Sunday 22nd December. Look out for tasty cranberry sauce and chutneys alongside the parsnips, sprouts, and spuds.<br />
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<b>Christmas cards and wrap.</b> There’s another chance to support a valuable local charity when you’re looking for your Christmas cards. <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/charity-shops/heart-of-kent-hospice" target="_blank">The Heart of Kent Hospice</a> shop, located on West Malling High Street, has a stylish selection of cards and you’ll know your pennies are going to good use supporting palliative care for local people.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsjXSXtj7VswQmwmPHX6BZjehqNtJIAf6NjFbM0wMYzHLTJQxxQ1JVYIdkrxAZ79hwsiGjX9aMXvJ-FGQp20UC1XFVT3y5DxIcKh_WzNtPZTpFTrL8Z8QygapdloXwRqUGX4zwby7DG0/s1600/Katies+Candles+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsjXSXtj7VswQmwmPHX6BZjehqNtJIAf6NjFbM0wMYzHLTJQxxQ1JVYIdkrxAZ79hwsiGjX9aMXvJ-FGQp20UC1XFVT3y5DxIcKh_WzNtPZTpFTrL8Z8QygapdloXwRqUGX4zwby7DG0/s320/Katies+Candles+Christmas.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<b>Christmas decorations. </b>Nothing warms the dark days of winter like a Christmas candle, and at <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/abbey-arcade/katies-candles-and-gifts-abbey-arcade" target="_blank">Katie’s Candles and Gifts</a> in <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/abbey-arcade" target="_blank">Abbey Arcade</a> you can pick up gorgeous candles with festive scents ranging from orange, clove and cinnamon, to nutmeg and ginger. All their candles are hand poured with eco soy wax and natural cotton wicks, and are made in West Malling.<br />
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It adds an extra sparkle to Christmas when you know that all the seasonal food you’re eating, and all the festive decorations around you, are sourced locally. In a couple of weeks we’ll be publishing a West Malling Christmas gift guide, so look out for ideas about what to buy every member of you family, right here in West Malling.West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19 6NE, UK51.2934126 0.4077675999999428351.2921716 0.40524609999994282 51.294653600000004 0.41028909999994284tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-48008470752717515632013-10-18T15:15:00.000+01:002013-10-18T15:15:14.846+01:00West Malling Ghost Stories for Halloween <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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As the nights draw in and Halloween approaches, it seems the
perfect opportunity for a few spooky stories and terrifying tales about the
ghosts we are said to roam amongst us in <a href="http://www.west-malling.loca-shops.co.uk/" target="_blank">West Malling</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJdokoFLFzUm3YIe4a-iJTkToSEXm2u7ptm0BuhFMMUXWszmk_-7ImKxTRX2ZY_MFORMCKmLNQeFOijJ1XfAw2i-oMl_tdUTYbJlPcQgJUu0ZsLIdsFm4VRGQNL9L8O9shyphenhyphene2RuG8v64/s1600/west-malling-website-designer-local.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJdokoFLFzUm3YIe4a-iJTkToSEXm2u7ptm0BuhFMMUXWszmk_-7ImKxTRX2ZY_MFORMCKmLNQeFOijJ1XfAw2i-oMl_tdUTYbJlPcQgJUu0ZsLIdsFm4VRGQNL9L8O9shyphenhyphene2RuG8v64/s400/west-malling-website-designer-local.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In a town as ancient as
West Malling, with its rich history and medieval buildings, it’s no surprise to
find reports of ghostly sightings and frightening phenomena. Whether you take
them seriously or simply see them as a bit of fun in the lead up to Halloween is
entirely up to you. </div>
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The town of West Malling grew around Malling Abbey, now <a href="http://www.mallingabbey.org/" target="_blank">St.Mary’s Abbey</a>, which was established by Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester around
1090. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXGFNVRAke8NJZAb1zogg7ixrxYetD0e4vLDpDn6mIwkXPCShIC0IVnf3TXhAOWi0OE2uKp-DSSiZddESZFX2TkZ-JBRAW0zEvHeMVgbSaM5cnqrLMMAzoccQ974WqRdnxzWQY5vKgm4/s1600/modern+church+and+norman+west+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXGFNVRAke8NJZAb1zogg7ixrxYetD0e4vLDpDn6mIwkXPCShIC0IVnf3TXhAOWi0OE2uKp-DSSiZddESZFX2TkZ-JBRAW0zEvHeMVgbSaM5cnqrLMMAzoccQ974WqRdnxzWQY5vKgm4/s1600/modern+church+and+norman+west+front.jpg" /></a></div>
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Despite the fact that the abbey has largely been occupied by Benedictine
nuns, a surprisingly large number of West Malling ghosts appear to be monks. In
the abbey itself the ghost of a monk was seen by a cleaner, walking towards her
on a different level from the floor she was cleaning. He actually knocked over
her bucket of water as he reached her and she ran away in terror. </div>
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In a sixteenth-century hall that was built on the site of
ancient Abbey buildings, and is now <a href="http://www.franksrestaurantandmusselbar.com/" target="_blank">Frank’s Mussel Bar</a>, a ghostly monk has been
seen sitting upstairs at a writing desk. The same ghost has been seen on
several occasions walking across the bedroom of the building next door. Another
ghostly monk has been seen further along the High Street, in the upstairs wine
bar of the building that was Mackenzines and we believe is soon to be The
Hungry Guest. The owner was just closing the bar at night when the apparition materialised
and walked across the room. It was later discovered that the fireplace in the
wine bar was once part of the Abbey buildings. </div>
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As well as monks there are also a couple of nuns reported to
be haunting West Malling. A cleaner at the library was frightened off when she
saw the ghost of a nun in the back room, who was thought to be linked to the
former leper hospital in King Street. At the former Brewery Tap on Swan Street
many of the staff reported seeing a beautiful nun who would appear in the rooms
that needed to be cleaned and then disappear through the wall. An oppressive
presence was also often felt next door in Abbey Brewery Cottage, in the room
which shared a wall with the Brewery Tap. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1Z5TROX-nf20TKBwQXmuXUnmtxT7Wp1ldlhBE9thZcPlPzeS-6Z1t49fPOsLbOIthuW-tAlK0ZMmNyalKcKEgqwNd8ml3vXrpa-zdSuU5HTyk1gVIHYdbZuCjRcg6pZ4N5XMw6HEr5o/s1600/image124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1Z5TROX-nf20TKBwQXmuXUnmtxT7Wp1ldlhBE9thZcPlPzeS-6Z1t49fPOsLbOIthuW-tAlK0ZMmNyalKcKEgqwNd8ml3vXrpa-zdSuU5HTyk1gVIHYdbZuCjRcg6pZ4N5XMw6HEr5o/s320/image124.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Douces Manor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Some buildings in West Malling are thought to be haunted by
multiple ghosts and <a href="http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~stevemm/manor.htm" target="_blank">Douces Manor</a> is one such example. The ghost of Miss Savage,
whose family used to live at the Manor, is often reported to be seen looking
out of a bay window at the garden. She turns to look at anyone who enters the
room. Another fair-haired apparition, who describes herself as the Merry Widow
of Mereworth has been known to wake up and even speak to visitors to the Manor.
Finally the ghost of a World War Two pilot is thought to haunt the cellar,
known during the war as<a href="http://www.themallingsociety.org.uk/twitch-heritage-centre.php" target="_blank"> The Twitch Inn</a>. </div>
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Douces Manor isn’t the only place where sightings of ghostly
World War Two airmen have been reported. During the Great Warbirds Airshow that
took place in 1982 on the former RAF <a href="http://www.abct.org.uk/airfields/west-malling-kings-hill-maidstone" target="_blank">West Malling Airfield (now Kings Hill)</a>
many visitors reported seeing apparitions of wartime planes and their crews
around the runway and hangars, almost as if the show had stimulated their
appearance. During the filming of the television series ‘We’ll Meet Again’ in
the same location, the director asked for two airmen and a WAAF who were
looking into the engine compartment of a jeep to be moved out of shot, but as
they were approached they vanished. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM55Ny-vwn0-7dWi1Zkkah-7z7Jk2t4RkRip9eUOF2QYNgSaVDjRnoNQWPn68RbSxIbL1Cwf3LgCfwrkQEXaB_M5-6fBucRwBxai2-_QAq7eWfY3IBbRbqGjxFcjTL2jsfaZDhVMPtuk4/s1600/st_leonard's_tower_research_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM55Ny-vwn0-7dWi1Zkkah-7z7Jk2t4RkRip9eUOF2QYNgSaVDjRnoNQWPn68RbSxIbL1Cwf3LgCfwrkQEXaB_M5-6fBucRwBxai2-_QAq7eWfY3IBbRbqGjxFcjTL2jsfaZDhVMPtuk4/s400/st_leonard's_tower_research_1.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Leonard's Tower viewed from the west<br />
© English Heritage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We tend to think of ghostly apparitions as frightening and
malevolent, and there is a very old tale of a beckoning figure leaning out of the
window of <a href="http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/st-leonards-tower/" target="_blank">St. Leonard’s Tower</a>, who is thought to bring disaster to those who
see him, but there are also some very friendly and helpful ghosts around the
town. In Lucknow, a listed building on the <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/how-to-get-here" target="_blank">High Street</a>, the ghost of a former
housemaid is said to haunt the bedrooms, and to turn down the beds on a regular
basis. Similarly, the <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/eat-and-drink/pubs/the-farm-house" target="_blank">Farmhouse Pub</a>, formerly The Bear Inn, is thought to be
haunted by a former potman who still moves ghostly barrels around the cellar. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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There are so many other ghost stories connected to <b>West
Malling</b>, it’s impossible to relate them all here, but hopefully this spooky
selection has got you in the mood for Halloween. Whether it’s ghostly knights
riding down the Offham Road, spooky revellers dancing at the former Assembly
Rooms on the High Street, or the ghost of the original Mr Baldock appearing at
the shop counter, the many ghostly tales and legends of this town are just
another part of its charm and heritage. </div>
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The accounts in this post are taken
from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ghosts of West Malling</i> by
Margaret Gadd which is available from <a href="http://www.kent.gov.uk/KCC.Libraries.Web.Sites.Public/LibraryDetails.aspx?aid=0&lid=98&uprn=200000959831" target="_blank">West Malling Library</a>. </div>
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Happy Halloween 2013! </div>
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West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19 6NA, UK51.2938801 0.408652699999947851.2926391 0.40613119999994779 51.2951211 0.41117419999994781tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-81902894675318848212013-10-04T16:20:00.000+01:002013-10-04T16:47:40.839+01:00How You Can Reap the Rewards of Local Shopping Over the last decade the trend for out of town shopping has
been clear. A lack of time and the promise of lower prices has meant that many
families have done the majority of their shopping at large supermarkets, but
now the tide does gradually seem to be turning.. and West Malling is a great example of where the <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/" target="_blank">High Street and Local Shops</a> are supported and enjoyed by the people who live here and others who come to visit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruWPzehAZ7s4wfzSyy8R0TcQLFFx-4ZUuXsM629I84M1Aw2zQYXd6pdEG3PMWYkyTh4-4EgnqMGDbCGQ28ZMhFWtVuqywSfaUvtekAMfx2KXPh1A_hVFNXYiN9jNeweYGN9k5P5mr8o0/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruWPzehAZ7s4wfzSyy8R0TcQLFFx-4ZUuXsM629I84M1Aw2zQYXd6pdEG3PMWYkyTh4-4EgnqMGDbCGQ28ZMhFWtVuqywSfaUvtekAMfx2KXPh1A_hVFNXYiN9jNeweYGN9k5P5mr8o0/s320/DSC_0069.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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The popularity of shopping locally has been growing, and
this is illustrated in the campaign that TSB bank used to re-launch last month.
Using the strapline <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘welcome back to
local banking’</i> TSB are marketing themselves as a local bank that serves the
community, appealing to a growing feeling that people want to support local
businesses. Figures released by the British Retail Consortium in April showed
that the<b> footfall in the High Street had increased 3.4%</b> from the previous
month, which seems to bear out the idea that <u>people are enjoying the benefits
of shopping locally.</u> </div>
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<br /></div>
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So what exactly are those benefits? Here are just a few of
the advantages to shopping in your local town or village.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Become more connected with your local community</b></a>. Commuting to work and popping into the supermarket
on your way home can make you feel alienated from the community you live in,
while visiting your local High Street can make you feel more involved. Combine
shopping with a haircut, a coffee with a friend, or a visit to the local
library, and pick up local news and developments as you go</div>
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. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKOr9XiH0fXrAjK4Z3GoQbpErybwld6FGskFrFrMOCg8rQ2nr6OU_K_HJX9-e6_dcAJtCoOXjTzrUG3steO1jcvREGvUYr45SPwOZox4pxoyiDYP6Onk_OCwGZ-Yd7EBiIZ3Uey4ZRNE/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKOr9XiH0fXrAjK4Z3GoQbpErybwld6FGskFrFrMOCg8rQ2nr6OU_K_HJX9-e6_dcAJtCoOXjTzrUG3steO1jcvREGvUYr45SPwOZox4pxoyiDYP6Onk_OCwGZ-Yd7EBiIZ3Uey4ZRNE/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/abbey-arcade" target="_blank">Abbey Arcade </a>- West Malling High Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Receive a more
personal service.</b> Smaller local shops may not be able to compete on price
but they can offer a higher level of service with more personal interaction.
Get to know your shopkeeper, ask for advice, or see if they can order
particular products that you like. A trip to the supermarket often involves no
human interaction at all with the advent of self-checkout, whereas a local
shopping trip can be a really sociable experience.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Know the origin of
your produce.</b> After the horsemeat issues of the past year many shoppers
have wanted to know more about the origins of their food. Supermarket labels
will often give the country of origin, but very little additional information
about where the product has come from and how it has been produced. On the
other hand, when you shop locally, your shopkeeper should be able to provide
far more details about the food chain, especially if you shop at a local
farmer’s market where the produce will have come direct from local farms.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o6OjkT4lVCdwDcSowgyS5o6nN3ljNvRhwN5rZvmA3iRxgYi1JH86uNx6tXxg07k-JMbN4Y01Ca_IgUz742Hcbf4JHUrY_0-KOLXlXFMTe7O9imykU7r7Cghf_Wi2Qz1Q_OxtOc6aGtA/s1600/B&s+shop225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o6OjkT4lVCdwDcSowgyS5o6nN3ljNvRhwN5rZvmA3iRxgYi1JH86uNx6tXxg07k-JMbN4Y01Ca_IgUz742Hcbf4JHUrY_0-KOLXlXFMTe7O9imykU7r7Cghf_Wi2Qz1Q_OxtOc6aGtA/s1600/B&s+shop225.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/eat-and-drink/delis/biffo-and-spanky" target="_blank">Biffo & Spanky Deli</a> (behind the Farmhouse)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Try something different.</b> When most people visit the supermarket they have a fixed route
through the store, buying the same items they are familiar with every time.
Supermarkets are generally too large for further exploration and we only
usually try something new if it is on special offer. With smaller local shops
however, it is far easier to investigate everything they have to offer, and to
try out new flavours or varieties that would otherwise have passed us by. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Enjoy a full sensory
experience.</b> While large supermarkets can be a little bland, independent
local shops offer a wide experience of sights, sounds, and smells. Local
retailers are starting to realise the importance of customer experience in
competing with out-of-town or online shops, and are putting a lot of effort
into making a visit to their store a unique and enjoyable event. A Saturday
morning soaking up the atmosphere of your local shops can be more rewarding
than a trip to the nearest retail park. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Save petrol and get
some exercise.</b> Depending on where you live there are probably some shops
within walking, or at least cycling distance. Leave the car at home and get
some exercise, as well as reducing petrol consumption and helping the
environment, when you visit the shops in your locality.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Local shops and services form the heart of our communities,
and many people are starting to see the benefits of supporting them. In <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/" target="_blank">West Malling</a> we’re lucky enough to have a vibrant centre with <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops" target="_blank">independent shops</a>,
<a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/eat-and-drink/cafes" target="_blank">cafes,</a> <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/eat-and-drink/pubs" target="_blank">pubs</a>, <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/eat-and-drink/restaurants" target="_blank">restaurants</a>, and a fabulous range of<a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-services" target="_blank"> services</a>. A visit to the centre
of West Malling can be very rewarding, and you can be sure there will always be
something new to catch your eye. </div>
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<br /></div>
West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19 6NE, UK51.2934126 0.4077675999999428351.2921716 0.40524609999994282 51.294653600000004 0.41028909999994284tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-4248108442981394872013-09-18T16:10:00.000+01:002013-09-18T16:15:53.579+01:00Could Small Business Saturday work in West Malling and the rest of the UK? <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYwSmAvC-hrOzl9nt4jmursonWHUy7PhO67sWelw-K0oLLQP6Jk1cUP4mupDDkKS7HXKah0jElsRFBOTO14nsecwtKn9FwzZoZsf02fsxbEbE0jjANn7bHsUExf_vEdynDBVGYmT4ogE/s1600/Small+Business+Saturday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYwSmAvC-hrOzl9nt4jmursonWHUy7PhO67sWelw-K0oLLQP6Jk1cUP4mupDDkKS7HXKah0jElsRFBOTO14nsecwtKn9FwzZoZsf02fsxbEbE0jjANn7bHsUExf_vEdynDBVGYmT4ogE/s1600/Small+Business+Saturday.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you heard of Small Business Saturday? If you know about
Black Friday and Cyber Monday then you’re almost there; it’s the Saturday in
between the two. Black Friday is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the
year in the United States coming immediately after Thanksgiving at the end of November. This has led many large
retailers to extend their opening hours and offer fantastic promotions in order
to attract shoppers. Cyber Monday is online retail’s chance to shine, and it
occurs the Monday after Thanksgiving. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Realising that local independent business were struggling to
compete on these shopping holidays, the concept of Small Business Saturday was
created. It happens on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and it’s a day when
shoppers are encouraged to support small local independent businesses rather
than using larger national chain.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Small Business Saturday began in 2010 and was sponsored by
American Express who provided coverage and advertising for the event. It has
widespread support from celebrities and politicians alike. On Small Business
Saturday 2012 even President Obama and his daughters were seen shopping at
their local book store. On that day it is reported that Americans spent around
$5.5 billion at local independent shops and restaurants</div>
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.</div>
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Social media has played a large role in spreading the word
about Small Business Saturday, but this has extended beyond that one specific
day of the year. The Twitter hashtag #smallbusinesssaturday is now used on any
Saturday in the year to promote independent businesses in much the same way as #followfriday
is used to promote Twitter users or businesses on a Friday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Could Small Business
Saturday Work in the UK?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems that the idea of launching Small Business Saturday
in the UK has been discussed by the government and that American Express has
even been asked to consider sponsoring the event in the same way they have in
the US. The suggested date for the first Small Business Saturday is 30 November 2013 as this would encourage shoppers to consider visiting and buying
from smaller local retailers during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the
year. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_LkL7wppU2BhiB5BJ0ijaHZ2sZuCFfF2jWfYyBs547ADgDKoInG2ml0g2BXERY1ck0U4DoqMpuAz04xwtK9I-mT12iBPtajrQQhxBig36DYl629d6TOmXioRp7pbOyXjH9cJdDpHBMs/s1600/FSB+Keep+Trade+Local.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_LkL7wppU2BhiB5BJ0ijaHZ2sZuCFfF2jWfYyBs547ADgDKoInG2ml0g2BXERY1ck0U4DoqMpuAz04xwtK9I-mT12iBPtajrQQhxBig36DYl629d6TOmXioRp7pbOyXjH9cJdDpHBMs/s1600/FSB+Keep+Trade+Local.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the UK there are already a number of campaigns underway
to boost local retail and reverse the decline in local high streets and
independent retailers that we have seen in recent years. <a href="http://www.fsb.org.uk/ktl" target="_blank">The Federation of Small Businesses</a> has a <a href="http://www.fsb.org.uk/ktl" target="_blank">Keep Trade Local</a> campaign which aims to encourage local
authorities to spend locally, to improve parking for local shops, and to speed
up the planning process for local businesses. Mary Portas’ well-known review of
UK High Streets recommended a number of ways we can reinvigorate our local
retail areas making them social hubs for the community. </div>
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We’d love to hear your views on introducing <b>Small Business
Saturday</b> to the UK. In the <b>West Malling </b>area we have <b>a superb number of
independent shops and businesses.</b> Would Small Business Saturday inspire you to
use a local independent retailer, do you already support your local shops and businesses, or
do you think there are other ways we can encourage the use of local businesses?
</div>
West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19, UK51.294343957280176 0.4095840454101562551.274483957280175 0.36924354541015625 51.314203957280178 0.44992454541015625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-26261757094345497132013-05-03T08:31:00.000+01:002013-05-03T10:35:48.509+01:00Why not tour West Malling this weekend - on foot!As the Bank Holiday weekend approaches most of us will be planning activities for the extra holidays. Instead of getting stuck in the bank holiday traffic as you head out of town, why not search for hidden treasures on your very doorstep and take the West Malling Walking tour?<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFNOQsAwmaKup5OAelHgNudGptWdCuPH0vWwRWFTB7H-EwIEF5x8XVxGnlnJVbAC1iLNcTPf27G_zOcyasmi_BLf7Pvd8tdkmvtRBmfr9zOknfibztSH0vmdbu9yYWpOW3lVJCMiEkBo/s1600/240px-St_leonards_tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="St Leonards Tower West Malling" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFNOQsAwmaKup5OAelHgNudGptWdCuPH0vWwRWFTB7H-EwIEF5x8XVxGnlnJVbAC1iLNcTPf27G_zOcyasmi_BLf7Pvd8tdkmvtRBmfr9zOknfibztSH0vmdbu9yYWpOW3lVJCMiEkBo/s1600/240px-St_leonards_tower.jpg" title="St Leonards Tower - West Malling" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Leonards Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
West Malling is a medieval town with a fascinating history, and there are plenty of sights to see if we just take the time to look for them.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Start your tour at St. Leonard’s Tower at the south end of West Malling, opposite Manor Country Park. This tower was built by Bishop Gundulf of Rochester around 1080 as a symbol of the might of the new Norman regime, and a secure administrative centre for the parish. Continue up the road past Douce’s Manor, a mansion built in the eighteenth century on the site of a Tudor farmhouse. During the Second World War this was the headquarters for officers from RAF West Malling, and their candle smoke signatures can still be seen on the ceiling of the Twitch Heritage Centre in the basement.<br />
<br />
As you approach the town centre the Norman church of St. Mary the Virgin stands on the highest ground in the area with its needle tower which was rebuilt in 1838. Further along the road on the left you’ll see the seventeenth century façade of the Tudor House which hides a medieval interior, as well as the town pump, the eighteenth century gothic Old Vicarage, and two original Georgian town houses, Forsters and Wisteria House.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZAopTniBB9G_xNUzHMQ6D6YaqD1wAxj-DpcwXGPSu_9VPtSxYrS3_nni-_tRffKiD0KdsagIkGIbbrpKxbdX15tTVdrcxvYWkKkJtEevgFoMhMXfF8k1vR3SIB2Fv21xTFZvXmgbiMM/s1600/st-marys-church-west-malling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZAopTniBB9G_xNUzHMQ6D6YaqD1wAxj-DpcwXGPSu_9VPtSxYrS3_nni-_tRffKiD0KdsagIkGIbbrpKxbdX15tTVdrcxvYWkKkJtEevgFoMhMXfF8k1vR3SIB2Fv21xTFZvXmgbiMM/s640/st-marys-church-west-malling.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saint Mary's Church </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Of the two pubs that face each other at the top of the High Street, the Five Pointed Star was probably the first, constructed around 1380 as a farmhouse where ale may have been brewed. Across the road The Farmhouse, formerly known as The Bear, was a coaching inn famous for a Twisden family duel around 1700.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXFNx3olQtAVEGuwC8Rn_mfO4YVZ7IGD1b-jLK9gc80mlq2XFxvwfxNhFTbgOu_zRcFONEBVuycSOWo_-6DUBk_viNlf1Z5IcHUhghh-scKAHzZzdaxa9Gmr-kDjWh4G3gT5kc_w_UBI/s1600/the-farmhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXFNx3olQtAVEGuwC8Rn_mfO4YVZ7IGD1b-jLK9gc80mlq2XFxvwfxNhFTbgOu_zRcFONEBVuycSOWo_-6DUBk_viNlf1Z5IcHUhghh-scKAHzZzdaxa9Gmr-kDjWh4G3gT5kc_w_UBI/s640/the-farmhouse.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqegLxcvEmgb6wbpiBY7LNddelENQFV-FeCB2ixFyM03f3YQK_bmbuJgmb4KB1qgx_bX-LM6HnuTxhlfDQWMmDX_6EmQGDIukQK-AdhktKOG_OBXhc-615_Yhg3RW8H_3FqE7jtf0WTQ/s1600/five-pointed-star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqegLxcvEmgb6wbpiBY7LNddelENQFV-FeCB2ixFyM03f3YQK_bmbuJgmb4KB1qgx_bX-LM6HnuTxhlfDQWMmDX_6EmQGDIukQK-AdhktKOG_OBXhc-615_Yhg3RW8H_3FqE7jtf0WTQ/s640/five-pointed-star.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Continue along the High Street and turn left down West Street where you’ll see The Colonnade, a former malt loft and wagon shed with first floor doors. Turn right along King Street, an ancient Droveway which runs parallel to the High Street. Here you’ll see medieval timber framed buildings with jettied cross wing fronts including Avicia Cottage and The Prior’s House. Many buildings on King Street hide medieval structures behind more recent brick facades.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeE2sOLvu4tQm2bD7O7gc-LUUlOA8UXxtXr5ttV14nu91gepbWa5x5c1fyDuxz5lOyvZFnijYYB7SCdRo-qh1iadcX1lcrBZcI_oIWiPcxcJ9zsWbXV2ViTlnyYcEkpyDSi-GzKUYXq4I/s1600/west-malling-high-street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeE2sOLvu4tQm2bD7O7gc-LUUlOA8UXxtXr5ttV14nu91gepbWa5x5c1fyDuxz5lOyvZFnijYYB7SCdRo-qh1iadcX1lcrBZcI_oIWiPcxcJ9zsWbXV2ViTlnyYcEkpyDSi-GzKUYXq4I/s200/west-malling-high-street.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back up the High Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Continue along the High Street and turn left down West Street where you’ll see The Colonnade, a former malt loft and wagon shed with first floor doors. Turn right along King Street, an ancient Droveway which runs parallel to the High Street. Here you’ll see medieval timber framed buildings with jettied cross wing fronts including Avicia Cottage and The Prior’s House. Many buildings on King Street hide medieval structures behind more recent brick facades. Re-join the High Street on the green at the end of King Street and take a look at the West Malling Village sign commissioned by the Malling Society. One side shows Bishop Gundulf overseeing the three local Norman towers, while the other shows the cricket match described in Dickens’ Pickwick papers which is believed to have been set in West Malling. You can also see the Millennium bronze sculpture of hope. Across the road the Bull pub is part of an original fifteenth century farmhouse, which was partly demolished when the railway arrived in West Malling.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTlNrok_ubNGecYi39qPxf8Uocs1ssuxssPwEdNv7ko81BczBTgYTJ6AWqPuU8mr9MPg2mTRJILOMsjeS7VZy6JyWYcvXsaw7DtEZ0G5oVe-8Xc7FT3T1gNmHaZMGsdgsvW5AIki-Qb8/s1600/west-malling-village-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTlNrok_ubNGecYi39qPxf8Uocs1ssuxssPwEdNv7ko81BczBTgYTJ6AWqPuU8mr9MPg2mTRJILOMsjeS7VZy6JyWYcvXsaw7DtEZ0G5oVe-8Xc7FT3T1gNmHaZMGsdgsvW5AIki-Qb8/s320/west-malling-village-sign.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Malling </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Heading back along the High Street towards the centre, have a look at the fifteenth century house that is now Franks Mussel Bar. In the outer wall at pavement level there is a carved stone figure which is all that remains of the original Market Cross. On the other side of the road were the eighteenth century Assembly Rooms which housed a grand ballroom upstairs, and were later used as a Masonic temple and a magistrate’s court.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Turn left down Swan Street and pop into the Mill Yard and craft centre on your right. As well as a tall stone corn warehouse, there is also a Norman house built around 1160, which may have been<br />
constructed to house important visitors to the Abbey. Further down Swan Street you’ll find the Abbey itself which was a nunnery founded by Bishop Gundulf around 1090. You can still see the original west tower from Swan Street, and the Cascade which originates from the late eighteenth century. On the opposite side of the road Went House and its railings are one of the best examples of Queen Anne architecture in Kent.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gVaveuVPeV2b1YZqj-QZ5rOuZSsnOZmiBXcPlYY4u-ifXcj26nNnHzTYmS6r1WnBvKwmdeaYmBhg8xhyphenhyphenzRwn9td2_Mr8eai6ibnSbYt8U7dhaZkJGMjbnSXU7fWijFwydkUaRR2Q1D0/s1600/swan-street-west-mallin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gVaveuVPeV2b1YZqj-QZ5rOuZSsnOZmiBXcPlYY4u-ifXcj26nNnHzTYmS6r1WnBvKwmdeaYmBhg8xhyphenhyphenzRwn9td2_Mr8eai6ibnSbYt8U7dhaZkJGMjbnSXU7fWijFwydkUaRR2Q1D0/s640/swan-street-west-mallin.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swan Street West Malling</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We’re often so busy with our daily routine that we forget to look around us and appreciate the<br />
historic gem we have right here in West Malling, but hopefully this Easter you’ll have the chance to<br />
enjoy it for yourself. Much of the information in this post was taken from the West Malling Town<br />
Walk leaflet which is funded by Kent County Council and The Malling Society, and which is available<br />
at the West Malling library.<br />
<br />
We hope you enjoy your walk around West Malling.<br />
<br />West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19 6NE, UK51.2934126 0.4077675999999428351.2921716 0.40524609999994282 51.294653600000004 0.41028909999994284tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-43325053950676316562013-04-18T17:48:00.001+01:002013-05-03T06:46:51.026+01:00Why West Malling Farmers Market is worth a visit<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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One of the best things about living in the <b>West Malling</b> area
is the fantastic <b>Farmers Market</b> that takes place on the 4th Sunday of each
month. In fact the next market is just a few days away on 28 April
2013 and we can’t wait to browse the stalls that line the High Street; after all it’s
what that beautiful wide road through the centre of the town was designed for.</div>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYmA6P2sYzMDr5tQH6g7cSLc4Bqu30s7bMvBtq3Vm_lX9fDCa0jQu9z5xaVudymBcYvNdWRwP9okby9rzAaEs2b0Js5e7BzwrGWwp4VX05p7SDfrokE3YDewwGAWvP3cnzcz0yLdMGAk/s1600/Farmers+Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYmA6P2sYzMDr5tQH6g7cSLc4Bqu30s7bMvBtq3Vm_lX9fDCa0jQu9z5xaVudymBcYvNdWRwP9okby9rzAaEs2b0Js5e7BzwrGWwp4VX05p7SDfrokE3YDewwGAWvP3cnzcz0yLdMGAk/s400/Farmers+Market.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">West Malling Farmers Market </b></td></tr>
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In the national media recently there have been a lot of
questions asked about the produce we eat and where it comes from, especially
meat and processed foods that we buy in the supermarkets. The concerns over horse
meat contamination that have filled the newspapers have only highlighted the
fact that as consumers we have very little idea what is in our food, and what happens
to it before it arrives on the supermarket shelves. </div>
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<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0m3st7B0jm-mBvSuknSWm7Q196KClBfspidK3GQAMG_XdodxFq7d-zyXJCOBAi7T5nUEsuhja7J_xzYaVrZHqgTzq-NsQGRX1bVrc2t39ahRmpHByg-iXt0QC1_pdnEUeSJWwNE8eMYg/s1600/Farmers+Market+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0m3st7B0jm-mBvSuknSWm7Q196KClBfspidK3GQAMG_XdodxFq7d-zyXJCOBAi7T5nUEsuhja7J_xzYaVrZHqgTzq-NsQGRX1bVrc2t39ahRmpHByg-iXt0QC1_pdnEUeSJWwNE8eMYg/s320/Farmers+Market+3.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Local Produce from Local Producers</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A huge advantage of shopping at the <b><a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-services/west-malling-farmers-market" target="_blank">West Malling Farmer’s Market</a></b> is that everything sold there is produced locally and we can have direct
contact with the farmers and producers themselves, asking them anything we want
to know about the food we are buying. We can choose fresh meat, fish, bread, eggs,
fruit, and vegetables direct from the source, and support our local economy at
the same time.<br />
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As shopping directly from local producers gains popularity,
other ways of sourcing local products are starting to appear. A new online
service called <a href="http://www.farmdrop.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Farm Drop</b></a> has begun in London and aims to spread all over the
country. Their vision is to bring together regional groups of farmers and
producers with local shoppers. The shopper will order online through the <a href="http://www.farmdrop.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>Farm Drop</b></a> website and the farmers will bring the produce to a local venue such as a
pub or community centre for a prearranged drop off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The ethos of <b>Farm Drop</b> is to use online technology to
reconnect farmers and producers with consumers in their region, strengthening
local communities. They believe that food sourced locally will be fresher,
healthier, and simpler. They also believe that produce sold through <b>Farm Drop</b>
can be sensibly priced without producers losing out, because the system will
eliminate the transport costs and heavy mark-up often associated with
supermarket food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <br /> </span>
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Located in the <b>Garden of England, West Malling</b> is surrounded
by farms and local producers, yet a huge proportion of the food we eat is
imported from abroad. We all have a fantastic opportunity to choose good value,
fresh, local food direct from the producers, whether we visit the farmer’s
market, buy from local farm shops, or even set up our own regional <a href="http://www.farmdrop.co.uk/keeper.php" target="_blank"><b>Farm Drop</b></a>.</div>
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There is also a Farmers Market that has started at Offham. This is run on the 2nd Saturday of each month at <b>Spadework</b> in Teston Road, Offham. With the arrival of <a href="http://www.spadework.net/news.html" target="_blank"><b>Offham Farmers Market</b></a> too, the West Malling area is lucky to have the benefit of access to 2 markets a month where we can buy local produce and to talk directly to the people who produce it. </div>
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More details on <b><a href="http://www.spadework.net/news.html" target="_blank">Offham Farmers Market</a> </b>and we will be letting folks know more about the producers and stallholders on the <b><a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/" target="_blank">West Malling Local Shops website</a></b> very soon.</div>
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In the meantime, with the warmer weather coming, it's a great month to visit a Farmers Market to catch up on what's available.</div>
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West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19 6NE, UK51.2934126 0.4077675999999428351.2921716 0.40524609999994282 51.294653600000004 0.41028909999994284tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-51009959769884167162013-03-17T18:00:00.002+00:002013-05-03T06:50:39.100+01:00Encouraging Retail Growth for February <br />
The great news for retailers in West Malling, and indeed the UK as a whole, is that shopper confidence finally seems to be returning. Last month national retail sales grew at their highest rate in three years according to figures released by the British Retail Consortium.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymMpAxEC7lzJoLBIMFjbHBwHRzBN_2-cLOM3CfrDhRl_FcP4CbQEOuSymbzuBgGIM5gFceEAj3H_FpuTFbrTJ6UvsKI9o_R4oc4UbfEl_JrLZjTzpN-Vryn_pl-PvyeYo0IqQKi179vU/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="West Malling High Street" border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymMpAxEC7lzJoLBIMFjbHBwHRzBN_2-cLOM3CfrDhRl_FcP4CbQEOuSymbzuBgGIM5gFceEAj3H_FpuTFbrTJ6UvsKI9o_R4oc4UbfEl_JrLZjTzpN-Vryn_pl-PvyeYo0IqQKi179vU/s640/DSC_0092.JPG" title="West Malling High Street" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Gradual improvement and customers feeling a bit more positive</u></td></tr>
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Like-for-like sales figures for February 2013 showed that retail sales had increased 2.7% from the same time last year, which is the highest rate of growth since December 2009. February 2012 had seen a 0.3% decrease from 2011. February is notoriously a difficult month for retail with shoppers still feeling the pinch after Christmas, but this year shops have bucked the trend in what we hope is a sign of good things to come.<br />
Helen Dickinson, Director General of the British Retail Consortium said, "It's reassuring that the sales momentum established during an encouraging January has built not faded. There are certainly highly-welcome signs here of gradual improvement and customers feeling a bit more positive.”<br />
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February sales were stimulated by a number of individual factors, but in general these were all linked by one key theme, which was retailers responding to their customers’ needs. The heavy snowfall at the end of January kept many shoppers indoors, so a large number of retailers responded by extending their January sales into February, and apparently reaped the rewards of doing so.<br />
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One retail sector that displayed strong growth was gifts, and this was likely to be due to Valentine’s Day halfway through the month, and a fairly early Mother’s day at the beginning of March. Retailers that tailored their product offering to these occasions and spent extra time and effort promoting their gift ranges are sure to have profited. Homeware sales also grew impressively, which may be linked to the recent upturn in the housing market. <br />
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Fashion was another sector that performed well and this will have been influenced by London Fashion Week. Shoes are usually the best selling fashion items in February but this year Spring clothing ranges were outselling shoes for a large part of the month. Again, fashion retailers that responded to the trends seen during Fashion Week would have been able to make good use of the momentum it created.<br />
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With the arrival of several new shops in West Malling during the beginning of 2013, the signs are good for retailers. The lastest arrivals in the West Malling High Street include <b><a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/clothing-ladies/fragolina" target="_blank">Fragolina</a></b> - vintage clothes boutique, <b>Number 39</b> - ladies shoes, bags and accessories and several new shops in Abbey Arcade, including <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/clothing-children/from-mimi" target="_blank"><b>From Mimi</b></a> - baby and childrens clothing boutique, <b><a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/clothing-children/baby-bea" target="_blank">Baby Bea </a></b>- for Mum-to-be, new baby and new Mum and <b><a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/local-shops/abbey-arcade/all-things-beautiful" target="_blank">All Things Beautiful</a> </b>for home accessories.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9ddnqcS7HFKeuoNjNVPKNekeZEoWptIMDFmNZ2Rz3IJm5QEzNhTnrhs7J__0OeZaCP9DypbMO517mcxP56nyKIlGMFwMnY7Ir2vYzSME5BaOFTbq80EP99tBnrP2mWLmmGAJT91soV4/s1600/Fragolina+Shop+Opening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fragolina - West Malling" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9ddnqcS7HFKeuoNjNVPKNekeZEoWptIMDFmNZ2Rz3IJm5QEzNhTnrhs7J__0OeZaCP9DypbMO517mcxP56nyKIlGMFwMnY7Ir2vYzSME5BaOFTbq80EP99tBnrP2mWLmmGAJT91soV4/s1600/Fragolina+Shop+Opening.jpg" title="Fragolina" /></a><img alt="From Mimi West Malling" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWQeWCziVNyzGXg45d400rYwIUbBgqSWYfyaRsngs6kelofQcbZXsV4etQk6xgA-2m_7_t_hXTJIotk0YyhhdCsBx_pLdsWeNxaK22DLE_PVxkQM1D1Vilei04521pLAFVTptkaGYRVs/s1600/FromMimi250x147.jpg" title="From Mimi" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Yhyphenhyphenx8OoJpp_3fnolP8Wy6XJpimdMS8Hnp9jllNWv7f9khPbNJrHe3VQefn69xmY-xFuOJfkTw5Sw7cVFDahC2unXcBBcw0wxwWIF9VNHKgNfT4eIvAoL5LyP7_nEANbibhXaCFwZ9u4/s1600/baby-bea-west-malling-250+x+147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baby Bea - West Malling" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Yhyphenhyphenx8OoJpp_3fnolP8Wy6XJpimdMS8Hnp9jllNWv7f9khPbNJrHe3VQefn69xmY-xFuOJfkTw5Sw7cVFDahC2unXcBBcw0wxwWIF9VNHKgNfT4eIvAoL5LyP7_nEANbibhXaCFwZ9u4/s1600/baby-bea-west-malling-250+x+147.jpg" title="Baby Bea" /></a></div>
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Overall these figures are a very positive sign for retailers. While nobody would dispute that times are still hard, it is clear that there are shoppers out there and they are increasingly ready to spend. Retailers that really understand what their customers want, and respond to those needs as well as to local and national events, are likely to be the ones whose businesses survive and grow despite difficult economic times.<br />
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<br />West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0West Malling, Kent ME19, UK51.2937325013168 0.40822354655756551.2924915013168 0.405702046557565 51.294973501316804 0.410745046557565tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-86588930228332234842013-02-17T22:54:00.000+00:002013-03-20T11:13:36.924+00:00West Malling Local Shops Website Project launches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWlya7Oj_MXlJvtpc6QaFZm5tQRFuqWOEHhZ8eoJ4vq-Tqi1y2moy9_rp295ggLL1MBfstGLjz6mX9owKP1gPiBOxNgyZYum1oBevT_e6kgjZkVbzKqys4W2WAUy2eoyITRdO1JMzkBk/s1600/In+the+Planning+Stages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWlya7Oj_MXlJvtpc6QaFZm5tQRFuqWOEHhZ8eoJ4vq-Tqi1y2moy9_rp295ggLL1MBfstGLjz6mX9owKP1gPiBOxNgyZYum1oBevT_e6kgjZkVbzKqys4W2WAUy2eoyITRdO1JMzkBk/s640/In+the+Planning+Stages.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After more than 2 years in the making, different ideas, false starts and various life happenings to trip us up, we have finally launched our new project on February 14 2013 <a href="http://west-malling.local-shops.co.uk/" target="_blank">West Malling Local Shops</a><br />
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An exciting and evolving project...... so here's to having reached the starting post. Now we're off..... join in with us - everyone welcome...<br />
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West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0Kent ME19, UK51.2938941 0.4090585000000146551.2144691 0.24769700000001466 51.3733191 0.57042000000001458tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-9314416377663251882013-02-07T11:47:00.001+00:002013-02-07T11:47:57.502+00:00Coming Valentines Day 2013 - West Malling Local ShopsWest Malling Local Shops is coming on 14 February 2013 - Valentines Day .. more information to follow shortly ..... West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219853569390009502.post-44567953493036912172011-12-19T08:43:00.000+00:002011-12-19T08:43:14.186+00:00New Year 2012 - West Malling Local ShopsWatch this space....<br />
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Links, features and lots of information to help you enjoy everything West Malling has to offer from its local independent retailers and bars and restaurants. <br />
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A special shopping destination.. full of nice surprises and an excellent place to visit and enjoy.West Malling Local Shopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10559173965280010415noreply@blogger.com0