Social scene: Pushkin Antiques celebrate a successful start to trading on the High Street

Celebrating a good start to a successful business

To celebrate three months of prosperous trading Pushkin Antiques, located in a Grade II listed building on the High Street in Tunbridge Wells, threw a party for its clients and friends last month. The business was launched by husband and wife team Alexander and Olga Pushkin last September who, after relocating from Essex, decided to open a retail space to showcase their impressive collection of antiques and collectibles which they also sell online. The occasion saw guests enjoy flutes of Champagne and delicious Caviar canapes. “The evening couldn’t have gone any better, Champagne was pouring, the Caviar was on ice, the barman was shaking, and the singer was grooving’, the shop’s owner, Alexander told SO magazine. An avalanche of sales were made on the night including a stylish mid 20th century French football table, a monumental German silver beer tankard, not to mention various furniture pieces, vintage posters, and assorted silverware. “Most importantly the clients left the event happy and wanting more!” added Olga. We’ll drink to that!

KIDS SOFT PLAY

Explore 550 square metres of stimulating children’s soft play at Bewl Water. A challenging, yet fun design, set out over two levels, including two slides and a sky tunnel. Perfect for children aged 0 – 8 years old. Just £5 per child, for a one-hour session.

Visit www.bewlwater.co.uk for more information

EXCITING TIMES AHEAD FOR ERIC KNOWLES ON THE PANTILES

David Hickmet

I do hope you are able to pop in and visit us in due course. We’re in the Corn Exchange at 49 Lower Walk on The Pantiles, and can be contacted on 01892 322777 or by way of ericknowles@scottishantiques.com Winter is, of course, a time of dormancy. Recuperation after the strictures and stresses of the year just past, and the gathering of resources to tackle challenges yet to come. ScottishAntiques.com are following this same path, after their first six months as part of the community down on the Pantiles, now firmly ensconced and at home in The Corn Exchange.

Having consolidated our position, we are mustering resources, and – with particular relevance in these somewhat unfortunate and straightened times - looking forward. To this end, we can announce with undiminished fanfare that our operation will be expanding with almost immediate effect with the addition of two new partners, who will be joining us in our stately home.

By the end of this month, we will have a richer and more diverse selection of antiquities, both functional and collectable, for your edification, perusal and purchase. Firstly, Mr David Hickmet, the country’s leading purveyor of Art Nouveau and Art Deco sculptural and glass artefacts will be bringing four generations of familial expertise to augment and enhance our little corner of Tunbridge Wells. From exceptional ornaments to striking centre-pieces to investmentgrade treasures, David’s core competence is in the provision of the very finest, the most visually appealing and the most impactful of 20th century objets d’art, and we look forward to providing a suitably evocative location from which he can continue to trade successfully having relocated from Notting Hill.

In addition to, and in perfect harmony with, Hickmet Fine Art, we will also be welcoming Jeroen Markies to our centre of operations. Another renowned business dedicated to the acquisition of exceptional examples of furniture, sculptures and decorative works created during the course of the last century, Jeroen’s astute and intuitive procurement will ensure that we are collectively able to cater for any requirement - however discerning - from collectors, designers, museum curators and members of the public who are looking for the utmost quality.

These are a pair of gamechanging collaborations for our enterprise at The Corn Exchange, and an affirmation of our commitment to manifest the most sought-after of articles, alongside the expressive, resonant artworks curated by Grant Ford, aweinspiring chandeliers from Royal Warrant holders, Wilkinson’s as well as horological masterpieces from Antiques Roadshow’s Richard Hills.

For my part, the opportunity to now work alongside these longtime associates is the epitome of an exciting and exhilarating start to the year, and I would love to invite you along with me on what promises to be quite a journey. I also hope that the coming months bring you all similar cause for optimism, and wish you all the very happiest of New Years.