More good news for Worthing’s West End as new shop opens
Sally Robinson, 48, has set-up Mrs Robinson’s Store, in Rowlands Road, after spotting a gap in the market for design-led gifts.
She initially had a shortlist of three towns: Worthing, Horsham and Brighton, but chose the former after suppliers advised her the market was overloaded in the others.
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Hide AdThe store had its official opening on November 9, with Worthing mayor Bob Smytherman doing the honours.
Mrs Robinson said: “I worked in design management for 15 years, so worked with retailers in quite a commercial way.
“The idea to open the shop came about as I felt there was a gap in the market for something which offered design-led products which were affordable.
“I don’t believe there is anything like it in Worthing, but suppliers told me the markets were saturated in Brighton and Horsham.”
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Hide AdMrs Robinson praised the community spirit in Rowlands Road, which will receive a welcome boost from the shop’s opening.
She said: “I think the mix of business and residential areas means it has a neighbourhood feel.
“The street has a good footfall, with people walking in to town after parking for free nearby,
“I looked at Warwick Street and few other places but it is a nice sized unit for us here, and there are a few new businesses around.”
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Hide AdWest End Traders Association chairperson Diane Guest said the latest opening was positive news, with only a small handful of units now standing empty.
A number of new businesses have opened in recent months, and attendance at association meetings has significantly increased.
She said: “I am really pleased. I have been running my shop for five years now, and it has been a long and slow process, but there is a real community spirit and enthusiasm for the West End now.
“Three meetings ago, it was only me who turned up. At the latest one, 11 attended, and it was a mixture of new and established businesses.”