Thank goodness for St Martin Vintners Ltd. Okay, that’s a bit dramatic, but for someone who likes to buy things from independent retailers as often as possible – albeit when I feel like browsing, going out of my way, and I have time – I was beginning to feel my wine-buying options were declining rapidly here in Brighton.
I only moved to this area a few years ago. Just before moving from Bath, a gorgeous wine and gifts shop closed down in St James Square near to where I was living. After moving to Hove, I used to purchase my wine from Off the Vine – which closed about 18 months ago. Even Oddbins and Nicolas struggled to survive on Western Road and shut down. So, what chance the independents? I’ve just found out that another store, ‘red white rose’ has given up, hence my visit that little bit further from home, to St Martin Vintners. Fingers crossed they will be able to survive both the recession and the onslaught from the national and international companies – primarily the supermarkets considering the trouble some of the off-licence chains are also in.
If only more people would spend some time to shop around a little, avoid buying everything from the same old shops week in, week out, thereby injecting a bit of variety into not only their lives but into the streets of Britain.
Anyway, enough ranting. And on to talking more about the streets of Britain. On my way home, box of wine cradled in my arms (nice to see Brighton Council have gritted the pavements today!) I walked past St Nicholas Road. Now, this street has brightened up my journey home from Brighton station on many an occasion in December through the ‘living Advent Calendar’ displays in the house windows. Something that has, apparently, been going on for over ten years. A simple yet effective and fun idea and one that, surely, the children down the road must love.
Anyway, off to prepare the house for a few visitors later, then out to celebrate New Year on the beach. Well wrapped up and prepared for the predicted -2C temperatures. Brr!