11 articles tagged
A new indoor play space for under-fives opened in Winchester last week, filling a gap in the city’s childcare offering with themed play zones and coffee for parents. Clemmie’s play café drew a full house on its debut day, charging £9.95 per child for 90-minute sessions.
THT Ltd, a Fair Oak-based home improvement business, is transforming a former car workshop on St Cross Road into a state-of-the-art showroom. The 7-pod space will feature working showers, taps, and a kitchen for community events, with a grand opening set for this summer.
Jeremy France Jewellers threw an exclusive ‘Something Blue’ event on May 22, inviting 12 guests to handcraft pearl bracelets and bridal hairpieces while sipping signature cocktails. The evening, priced at £35 per ticket, blended crafts, canapés and conversation, aiming to widen the family-run firm’s local appeal beyond its usual clientele.
Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes is rallying constituents to nominate their favourite chippy ahead of National Fish and Chip Day. The public vote will crown the best local shop on June 5, celebrating generations of family-run businesses that have weathered rising costs and shifting habits.
Sally Turner, 29, launched Marmalades in Romsey’s Cornmarket last weekend, filling a gap in the market with eclectic children’s toys, clothes and gifts. Within 48 hours, the shop drew crowds and praise, signalling a promising start for Hampshire’s newest independent retailer.
Forest & Cove, the beloved Romsey art gallery and creative space, will shut its doors for the final time on June 30. The closure marks the end of a five-year chapter that blended local art, workshops and community connections under owner Rebecca Jackson.
Winchester’s former Vodka Nightclub and cannabis factory site reopens as Helch Market Friday, offering 7 street-food vendors and a brunch-focused social hall. The £1.8m renovation turns a crime-scarred property into a nightlife and dining hub set to host its ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon.
A Hampshire restaurant marks its first anniversary with a surge in customers, a new carvery, and a weekend breakfast buffet. Owners Nicola Lang and Mike Woods have transformed the Wickham venue into a community staple after taking over the former Greens restaurant site.
The Hampshire-based brunch chain Josie’s has launched its seventh branch in Wickham Square, reviving a beloved local tearoom with modern touches. The new 90-seat café, open six days a week, employs 30 locals and has drawn immediate praise for its homely atmosphere and all-day menu.
After four decades on the road, a Hull-based ice cream vendor has been crowned Britain’s finest. His secret? A relentless focus on local dairy and hand-churned recipes. The win caps a year that saw record demand for artisanal frozen treats across the country.
Handmade Italian gelato returns to Winchester as Swoon Gelato prepares to open its Parchment Street store on Friday, March 20. The launch will feature 14 flavors, including vegan options, and free scoops for the first 120 visitors to mark 120 years of Forte family gelato-making heritage.