More new businesses opening in Amble
New jewel in Queen Street crown
Amble is rightly proud of the number of its independent businesses, and now Tom Bates and his wife Amy have recently started their new venture; the Amble Jewellery Co. Tom is a trained jeweller, and worked for the last 12 years in Blyth.
“I’m excited about running my own shop,” he said. “This high street is very busy and I can’t wait to get open.”
The shop will stock watches, gold and silver jewellery, wedding rings, pearls and figurines.
“I make jewellery as well,” says Tom, “engagement rings, shaped wedding rings. I make them all here. I can also resize and repair rings, replace stones – all sorts!”
Lifestyle change for Julie and Jonathan
Amble’s reputation for exciting eateries continues to grow as a new coffee shop opens to tempt our tastebuds.
Julie Lunn and her partner Jonathan Bird have poured their savings and enthusiasm into ‘Seasalt’, a new café and restaurant on Queen Street.
“We want people to feel welcome to come in and have a coffee or a meal, whatever they fancy,” said Julie. “We offer coffee and homemade cakes – they’re made by me and my Mum. But we also serve restaurant food during the day and evening. We’re going to try a bit of everything.”
The Seasalt menu includes sandwiches, simple starters, burgers, meat, fish and vegetarian options, salads and a grill section.
Jonathan has been a chef for 12 years. Previously he worked at Slaley Hall, training under Albert Roux. More recently the pair lived in France running a chalet business.
The coffee shop will feature crafts from Julie’s father, local Blacksmith Stephen Lunn. Indeed the specials boards on the wall are old roof tiles from his smithy in Red Row.
“We started this as a lifestyle change,” said Julie. “We both love Northumberland, it’s a lovely place to be. I’ve worked all over the world, but Northumberland’s always been home. People, beaches, it’s a fab place to be.”
Get the shabby-chic effect
Sarah Weightman has moved her successful shabby-chic furniture business from Acklington to Mark’s Bridge, Amble. Situated just around the corner from the Londis shop at the petrol station, the business sells gifts, jewellery, cushions and shabby-chic furniture. They also stock specialist chalk paint needed to produce shabby-chic results on renovated furniture.
Sarah’s shop ‘Everlong Forever Chic’ is a hobby-turned-business. “I started doing pieces for the Black Swan pub in Alnwick. I put photos of them online and it just went massive from there,” she explained. So I decided to give it a go as a business and it’s gone brilliantly”.
In addition to painting her own and her customer’s furniture, Sarah is keen to show other people how to achieve the shabby-chic effect on their own pieces.
“We hold chalk paint workshops every fortnight” said Sarah. “People can bring small items of furniture here, and we will show them how to create the shabby chic effect. It’s free, but people should book ahead.”
To book your place on one of Sarah’s FREE shabby chic furniture workshops, ring 01665 712623.
Thrifty shopping
Now in Queen Street we have a pound shop, actually called “Around a Pound”.
Sue Fletcher, the owner, thought it was something she’d like to try, something new for Amble. She is obviously not superstitious as she opened on Friday, 13th of June, in the shop vacated by The Pin Cushion, selling household necessities and pocket money toys.
Sue is pleased with the support she has had so far. “Things are going well, and I’m happy to be here. I think the town has a vibrant shopping street, with a variety of shops”.
Born in Warkworth, Sue has lived in Alnwick and in Amble for the last 15 years.
Vintage shop delights customers
By Anna Williams
