How many of us walk along Northbrook
Street and spy Weavers Walk? If you spy it, you should try it!
This delightful little walkway
(opposite Maplins, Phones 4U, TSB, and next to Toni & Guy and
Oxfam) is well worth a visit.
With an entrance on Northbrook Street
and Weavers Walk, the Oxfam Shop itself is tardis like – not
only does it have clothes, books, ornaments and nick-nacks as one
might expect but also an excellent range of greeting cards,
Cafédirect products and some really nice toiletries.
Suits Newbury – upstairs in
the Old Bakehouse – is an independent formal menswear outlet with
all sorts of classic and modern attire for the man in your life, both
for sale and for hire. Perfect for that special occasion ... like a
wedding, which leads me nicely to their near neighbour, Mrs Jones and
her bridal boutique.
Now, any bride-to-be will be in seventh
heaven if she pays a visit to Mrs Jones Bridal Boutique. The
charming interior of the shop creates a pretty, relaxed atmosphere
and you are guaranteed a friendly, personal service. Not only is
there the most fabulous selection of wedding dresses from a variety
of designers but everything else a bride will need too – shoes
(which can be dyed to your colour choice), jewellery, tiaras, feather
boas and the all important garter. The message on the wall says:
‘All you need is love.’ And Mrs Jones, of course.
At the head of Weavers Walk is Spanish
tapas bar and restaurant El Sabio. Popular with regulars and
those who happen across it by chance, they are proud of the fact that
they fuse authentic Spanish ingredients with those sourced locally to
bring you the best of both worlds. With special deals such as great
value lunchtime tapas and the excitement of flamenco nights on the
first Thursday of every month, they are definitely worth trying.
Also here are the long-established
Reynolds Blinds, offering expert advice on the most fantastic
range of window blinds, shutters and awnings – something for every
room in the house. Then there’s Swift Cleaners who offer a 2
hour express dry cleaning service for those in a desperate hurry –
always good to know about! Next door is the unisex hair salon Jane
at Kellehers, who have been in business since 1987. Here too is
the Mary Hare Hearing Centre where you can get all sorts of
help and advice for hearing difficulties, plus equipment such as
special telephones and doorbells.
And have you been to the lovely FiFi
and Moose? This designer clothes shop is just the place to go if
you like something a little different and rather special. They have
the sort of separates that you just know you’re not going to bump
into someone else wearing , plus gorgeous evening wear – whether
you want something eye-catchingly fancy or simple and elegant.
There’s also footwear and costume jewellery to complete the
outfit, all in an unhurried and unpressured atmosphere.
Just Add Grapes is paradise for
cheese and wine lovers – and did you know they have started a
Cheese Club and Quiz Night on the first Friday of the month. Got to
give that a go!
With refreshment in mind, last but not
least I bring you Weavers Coffee Shop. After my exploration
of Weavers Walk it was time to take the weight off my feet and I was
welcomed into this truly traditional café which has plenty of
seating inside (with more upstairs) and outside, weather permitting.
As well as a popular all-day breakfast there are jacket potatoes,
sandwiches, baguettes and paninis with a huge list of fillings to
choose from. Gluten free options available, too. Oh, and then
there’s soup of the day, salad platters, a range of cakes,
traybakes and scones. Yum! What is a bonus is the fact that they
offer you a choice of four cup sizes for your hot drinks – yes
four. I know lots of people who are over-faced by enormous
offerings, so this choice is much appreciated. Anyway, excuse me
while I sit back and enjoy my coffee ...
Biddy
x
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