A new wave of colourful and diverse shops has brought Norman Road back to life, making it the happening hub of St Leonards. Whether you’re after something in particular, window-shopping or just fancy spending an afternoon rummaging and browsing the many unique and eclectic goods on sale, you can’t beat this street and there’s always the chance of an exciting find. |
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This is an unusually intact stretch of original shopfronts, and as you wander from shop to shop, there’s a definite buzz about this little community. The diversity is astounding - antiques, gift shops, home-baked dog biscuits, retro-furnishings, interiors, a Michelin-star restaurant… a real medley. Norman Road has been known for antiques since the 1950s, and has always had a reputation as a prime hunting territory for buyers in the trade. With its new lease of life, it’s kept this flavour as new antique shops have joined the already established businesses. Twenty years ago it was a busy, commercial road, but fell into decline along with much of St Leonards. Over the past few years many shops have come and gone while they’ve waited for the public to discover them, but now there is such a thriving cluster of new businesses that the |
enthusiasm of this local community, each owner with their own area of expertise, means it’s here to stay. The public are coming in greater numbers: they know a good thing when they see it. Last year, the old Methodist church halfway up the road was converted into stylish apartments by local agency Breathe Developments (more information here). Why Norman Road? “We’re always on the lookout for exceptional areas to locate our homes and apartments, and Norman Road is just that. We’re delighted to be able to offer the opportunity live right smack in the middle of this vibrant community.” A word of advice: many of the items for sale on Norman Road are one-offs, so if you dither too long, you’re likely to be disappointed, as I have been on more than one occasion! |
Take a tour of the Norman Road shops below... |
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Eras of Style 2,000 square feet of furniture, from Georgian to 1980s Danish leather design icons: totally eclectic. Andy and Christine stock furniture that’s “Decorative but functional”. They’ve been selling to interior designers, to the trade and for photo-shoots from Norman Road for years, but now they’ve moved into a vast new space, they’re much more accessible to the public - still at good prices. “Get down here quickly to take advantage!” says Andy. There’s new furniture on a daily basis. “The whole community here as well as Norman Road has changed for the better,” they say. “New people bring new ideas and are making it vibrant and interesting.” 32-34 Norman Road. t: 07974 178760. Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
Jacobin The French Furniture Shop sources almost everything from France. Ruth and Joe restore and upholster all stock themselves - and it’s beautifully done. From imposing one-off wardrobes and feature chairs to kitchen tables, jugs and chandeliers, even plants and furniture for the garden - there’s something for every room of the house. “Before we moved here we loved the energy on Norman Road,” says Ruth, “And now we’re part of such a great community that it’s a pleasure to be in the shop.” The couple make a trip to France each month, so it’s worth regular trips to check out new stock. “Our premise is that we source furniture we love ourselves,” says Joe.
40 Norman Road t: 01424 435200. Open Weds-Sun 10am-5pm
Hastings Antiques Centre An Aladdin’s Cave of treasures is no exaggeration. Robert Amstad has been the owner here for 23 years, and the shop’s been selling antiques since 1947. There is an enormous amount of furniture and curiosities, framed paintings and photographs, crockery, lighting, clocks and more. Give yourself enough time to browse or you’re likely to miss something special. “You’d have to go a long way to find another shop like this,” says Robert, and I wholeheartedly agree. The stock comes from the UK and abroad, and the space is let to 12 dealers. Robert also offers advice to customers looking for a particular style - he furnished an entire house for local celebrity Paul Denman! Prices are competitive. 59-61 Norman Road t: 01424 428561. Open Mon-Sat 9am–5.30pm
Bombarock Georgina Brett-Chinnery designs and upholsters bespoke, contemporary furniture with a twist. While it’s elaborately fit for a boudoir, it’s also inspired by punk-rock. There are also aprons and bags printed with skulls and bats, and a clear influence of music. “For a bit of rock n’ roll while you’re doing the chores,” she laughs. Georgina moved from London a year ago, on the spur of the moment. “And it’s great!” Check out Bombarock at Coastal Currents open studios at the Old Brewery 8-9th & 15-16th September; upstairs at Hastings Antiques Centre; McCarrons and
Dawg’s Biscuits Bakers of the finest natural and healthy dog treats in the world, Dawg’s treats each have a health benefit, as well as being totally top tasty. Calm Dawg helps dogs that are frightened by fireworks and bangs; Scratchbuster helps with, well, scratching, and works so well, that dogs come off medication. Dawg’s hand bake and hand make the gourmet treats both on and off premises in St Leonards, and supply from the shop at 65 Norman Road, the website 
McCarrons Rachel and Justin McCarron opened this summer. Fresh and tasteful, the interior of their gift and lifestyle-accessory shop feels like a welcoming living room. Both actors, the McCarrons also had a passion to own a shop. “Norman Road has so much potential and it’s so charming - if we were going to do it anywhere, it had to be here. It used to be the Old Town for unusual presents, but now you needn’t look further than Norman Road.” The shop stocks a wealth of local talent: Sally Walton’s bags, Visionary Soap, as well as products from further a field such as Greengate, True Grace Candles and organic baby products. 64 Norman Road. t: 01424 428929, Open Tues-Sun 10am –5pm 
Why? Sandra Murphy’s vintage-retro shop moved onto the street in July. There are some real finds as well as some trips down memory-lane here. She chose the location because “there’s a good vibe on Norman Road.” There are some brilliant mid-20th century talking-pieces and quirky one-offs. Furniture, crockery, radios, phones fill the upstairs while there are fabrics and clothes downstairs. “I live retro and I do it with a passion!” Sandra says. It’s worth a regular trip to see what’s new - whether you want a touch of retro for your own home or you want to surprise someone with a memorable present. 72 Norman Road t: 07772 472507 Open Thurs-Sat 10am–5pm
Patrick Robbins Interiors You’ll find some really lovely antiques and rugs (see below) here. Patrick’s been an antique dealer for many years, and expanded into his own space on Norman Road three years ago. As well as antiques, there’s a staggering range of 12,000 fabrics to choose from for curtains and upholstery, including woodblock prints, Peggy Angus, variety of crewel-work and hard-to-come-by designs. He also stocks an extensive choice of William Morris wallpaper. There are some interesting paintings alongside exquisite pots, beautifully polished wood furniture and some unusual one-offs from around the world. 78 Norman Road t: 01424 200 220. Open Tues-Sat 10am–5.30pm 
Oriental Rugs Online This online emporium is a fabulous way to shop for rugs - once you’ve seen something you like the look of, you can check it out at Patrick Robbins Interiors (above). Justin Nahum works in partnership with Patrick, selecting some wonderful examples. These rugs are something special - all hand-made (how many knots!) but well priced for their quality. Mainly Turkish or Persian, most have been coloured with vegetable dyes so they’re beautifully natural. The majority are new, some are old and others antique - 150 in total. You can also buy straight from the internet wherever you live, as there’s a no-quibbles returns policy. 78 Norman Road (see above) 
St Clement’s The backbone of this already celebrated restaurant is that all produce is totally fresh and local - from within a 30-mile radius. Owner Nick Hales came to St Leonards for the proximity of great produce. Fish is a speciality, bought straight off the boats (the Four Brothers his favourite); fruit and veg is served within two days of picking. Nothing on this menu sounds pretentious: local smoked fish; chicken breast with bubble and squeak, apple crumble. Prices are surprisingly affordable - set menu £14.50. Nick is like his menu: genuine. “I pick out the fish in the morning, don my chef-whites for lunch and do a bit of flower arranging in the restaurant in the afternoon!” For menu 
