Biddy visits Bartholomew Street

When it comes to shopping and eating out, Newbury is a much larger town than many visitors might appreciate at first glance. There is a whole world that is absolutely worth walking a few paces beyond Northbrook Street to savour. Hopping over the bridge in the centre of town into Bartholomew Street leads you to all sorts of delights: Cara of London for ladies’ shoes, boots and clothes; Badgers menswear; Taking Shape ladieswear; Kitchen Monger cookshop, Brebis French restaurant ...

As you continue beyond the Kennet Centre car park four things about this part of Bartholomew Street strike me immediately:

1. How friendly it is. On my recent excursion I was greeted with ‘good morning’ from more than one local, a really pleasant surprise in a town the size of Newbury.
2. That you would be hard pushed to go hungry here – there is a huge choice of cafés, pubs, restaurants and takeaways to suit every tastebud and every pocket.
3. If you want your hair or nails done, there are salons aplenty.
4. The eclectic mix of shops – from Artifax picture framing/artisan art gallery to Hair of the Dog grooming parlour, from Willow & Blooms florist shop to Octopus classic vintage furniture, from Cloth & Scissors alterations/repairs/laundry service to Nudge Nudge Ink Ink tattoo shop, from Hethertons Bakery to Invicta second-hand books ... and many, many more.

This host of independent shops form a tight-knit community, and from talking to the shop owners they are truly supportive of each other. Jean Ince, who along with her husband John is joint owner of Artifax The Picture Framers (and who have termed their end of town ‘the Independent Quarter’), explained how, for example, she always goes over the road to Pull Yourself Together when she wants new curtains; for DIY or hardware items, Barry Forkin/Toomers a few doors down is always her first port of call; Newbury Electrical Supplies, tucked away behind the old Phoenix brewery, has a fantastic range of all things electrical. And did I know one of the shops opposite, AJA Foods, is about to start selling halal meats? Artifax’s neighbour, Willow & Blooms, is the most charming florist shop – and delighted to be voted overall winner of the Christmas 2013 best dressed window competition. And let’s not forget the marvellous Hogan Music shop that has been supplying the needs of every musical genre locally for around 30 years, and, opposite, Banjo Cycles – a proper bike shop in the premises once occupied by Hogan Music.

But back to Artifax themselves, who do a whole lot more than bespoke picture framing: the most beautiful mirrors for a start. Jean will even do home visits to advise customers on picture and mirror choices to suit their lifestyle. And if you want something a little different as a gift, or something special for your own home, there are the most lovely, unusual ideas here – paintings, jewellery, coasters, candles, greetings cards. I encourage you to go and have a look – you will be made very welcome.

There are so many outlets in Bartholomew Street, far too many for me to list by name here. But do pop along there soon and check them out for yourself. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Biddy x