Artique @ the former Marina Arms
The new look ‘Artique’, in Amble’s former Marina restaurant, finally opened officially on 1 June and looks as if it will be quite a success. The old bar and restaurant have been completely redecorated, and converted to largely open plan, making the space light and airy.
‘Despite not having advertised, we have already had a steady flow of people through the door,’ proprietor Pauline Robertson told me. ‘Everybody is pulling together and helping out. Friends and family have helped to get it up and running.’
There are 26 businesses involved, and all but one of the participants are local.
One of the traders, Linda Sweeney, owner of Paraphernalia which used to be on Queen St told us: ’It’s absolutely lovely.’
You can buy the work of photographer David Gerrard, which adorns the walls. He has also done some shots for promotional leaflets for the venture.
It’s not all crafts or antiques either; Gill Weeks is providing IT know how, and the teashop is light and comfortably laid out with appetising sandwiches and snacks, and homemade cakes invitingly displayed on the counter.
Pauline now has a reserve list of people waiting for spaces. ‘I didn’t want it to be too crowded,’ she explained. ‘I want people to be able to wander around and have a cup of tea and then go out and tell their friends about it.’
We’re sure they will, if they haven’t already done so. Pauline’s husband Chris, a French polisher, already has six people booked for classes in the workshop at the rear, as soon as he can get it prepared. Pauline intends to hold events outside the front of the building when possible, and she also has plans for classes in watercolour painting, pottery, and possibly needlecord and quilting. These may take ‘some months.’
Opening hours are Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday 12 noon until 4 pm .
The café is open 10am – 4:30 pm Monday to Saturday and 12 noon – 3:30 pm on Sundays.
Tim Jones
Some of my family visited at the weekend sound fab, I would be interested in selling my own products with you my website is http://www.fuchsiaz.co.uk & I sell handmade jewellery. It’s a great idea for an outlet for crafters to sell their products !,,