May/June 2013
Serving local people, businesses & events in Addington, Birling, East Malling, Kings Hill, Larkfield, Leybourne, Mereworth, Offham, Ryarsh, Trottiscliffe, West Malling
Hearty welcome for shoe shop?
SOLES With Heart, a new shop selling children’s shoes, is the second business to move into the landmark building in Swan Street, West Malling, formerly occupied by Baldocks outdoor clothing store.
Run by Michelle Lane, the imaginative shop stocks a wide range of well-known brands which are not found on every high street.
After 20 years as a hairdresser, Michelle was looking for a new challenge. “I had this Eureka moment”, she said, “I was sitting there wondering what to do next and I realised that what West Malling needed was a great independent shoe shop selling good quality but
affordable shoes for children.”
A busy working mum with one son, Oliver (8), Michelle knew exactly how difficult and tiring shopping for children’s footwear can be. So with the backing of husband David, a retail executive, she set out to make shopping for
youngsters, shoes a fun and pleasant experience.
Her beautiful new shop also stocks affordable little accessories such as wooden bracelets for children at £1 each.
The shop window display changes frequently. “Yesterday we had buckets and spades but today it’s raining so we have novelty
umbrellas,“ said Michelle.
“I know how hard mums have to work and juggle everything they have to do and I am trying to offer
Our town is perfect place to shop
“STOP clicking, start shopping in West Malling”, is the message of retailer Tim Baldock whose Abbey Arcade is proving a perfect place for new businesses.
“We are one of the leading towns in the UK for the number of independent traders, which makes West Malling a lovely place to browse, and more importantly, to shop,“ said Tim.
“Here you can feel it, touch it and smell it and get personal attention, rather than click on the end of an internet line and all you get is collect.”
With the family firm
something easier with traditional customer care and value for money, and all with free parking!”
The arcade’s 18 units house a wide range of products and services and the latest shop selling gifts from Morocco is about to open.
celebrating its 135th birthday on June 8, Baldocks has evolved through the decades and played a hand in the success of many new businesses.
The ever-changing Abbey Arcade in the High Street has provided a birthplace for a variety of new ventures. Four businesses have expanded
into their own shops in the town after starting life there and others have moved to other areas including Sevenoaks, Rochester and Cranbrook.
The success story includes Chocolate Umbrella, Abbey Antiques and Fragolina Shop who have all moved to larger premises in the town.
All under one roof are Oaks greengrocers, All Things Beautiful for homeware gifts, Your Mimi selling handmade children’s clothes, Baby Bea for wooden toys and children’s clothes, Beauty and Treats for ladies’ fashions, tanning and beauty treatments, Tocado everyday gift emporium, Katy’s Candles and candle factory, P’s jewellery, Links hairdressers, Nails to Love, Reiki Healing, all along with Baldocks work and
weatherwear and Moor and Mountain ski store.
A Malling Action Partnership publication
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