Shopping

Spending Power

Want to support local shops? Don’t forget the Victorian Arcade.

It is all too easy to overlook Okehampton’s Victorian Arcade, the little retail strip that runs between Fore Street and St James Street. Though when it was built back in 1896 it was a well-trodden route between the town centre and the railway station - and a much-used shopping centre.

‘We get customers who recall the Arcade from years ago when it housed a tobacconists, cobblers and haberdashery,’ says Michelle Symons who owns A Little Gift Company, one of the many independent retailers in there.

‘I myself remember it well from growing up in the area as being quite dark and old-fashioned. And then Red Lion Yard came along, which was sort of new and shiny, and the Arcade slightly got forgotten as a little piece of history. It just became a cut-through, not a shopping destination.’

But those who take the time to linger will find a wonderful array of independent retailers, from Chocolate Strawberry, where proprietor Sue makes arguably the best brownies in town, to the new Soapy Oke, which sells gorgeous products. Jewellers, gift shops, cafes, hairdressers, a greengrocer, a music shop and a computer repair place are among many the gems nestled in the mini-Emporium.

’Locals often come in and have a look around A Little Gift Company, say how

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Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10:30am - 3pm much they like it and ask how long I’ve been here,’ continues Michelle. ‘When I tell them five years they are almost embarrassed that they’ve never noticed the shop before. It’s the same for the others. But there really is something for everyone here - and it’s definitely perfect for Christmas shopping!’

Merry Christmas

from Occasions Happy Christmas from all at Hospiscare Happy Christmas from a Hospiscare, Okehamp Happy Christmas from all at Hospiscare, Okehampton Okehampton 5 The Arcade, Okehampton EX20 1EX Tuesday-Saturday, 9.30am-4.30pm5 The Arcade, Okehampton 5 The Arcade, EX20 1EX 01837 53889 Okehampton EX20 1EX Tuesday-Saturday, 9.30am-4.30pm 01837 53889 Tuesday-Saturday, 9.30am-4.30pm 01837 53889 Visit us to nd something special or to drop o your donations. Visit us to find something special or to drop of Thank you for supporting a local charity caring Visit us to find something special or to drop off your donations. Thank you for supporting a local charity caring for local people. Thank you for supporting a local charity caring for local people. We specialise in a wide range of cards for every occasion, plus high quality gifts from home accessories to soft toys.

OPEN Mon-Sat 10.00-17.00

www.hospiscare.co.uk Registered charity no. 297798• 01837 55921 • !

www.hospiscare.co.uk

Registered charity no. 297798

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Home & Business Bespoke Computers

REPAIRS • UPGRADES • MAINTENANCE SALES • PROMPT RELIABLE SERVICE COMPUTER CENTRE

- OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK 01837 55100

CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY

Visit us for Farmer Tom’s ice creams, pies and pasties baked daily, homemade cakes, Tamar Ko , snacks and lunches. We also stock metal signs, jigsaw puzzles and gi s. 15 e Arcade • Okehampton • 01837 55199