Last month, Burnham Market-based lifestyle boutique Norfolk Living saw a brand new pull-down shop awning slotted into the original steel blind arms and roller barrel assembly. The marriage of old and new to create a traditional effect that is still bang up to date echoes the fortunes of the shop itself as it embraces the new decade.
In 1904 the Clayton Family came from Kent to update the market garden that existed on the site in the picturesque North Norfolk village. They installed greenhouses, and transformed it into a flourishing nursery with a specialism in Chrysanthemums. Their reputation for hothouse strawberries and grapes extended to London and beyond. The enterprise passed through the generations, transforming into a General Store as the nursery side fell off. In 1979, current proprietor Michael Stubbings (who also, strangely enough, hailed from Kent) arrived to take over T Clayton & Sons.
Originally trading under the name ‘Claytons’, Michael updated the product range and changed the name to ‘Stubbings’. A garden shop (‘Stubbings The Garden Shop’) and food shop (‘Stubbings The Food Shop’) were opened. The store expanded, becoming ‘NORFOLK LIVING’ earlier this Century, at which point the food side was closed.
Nowadays, NORFOLK LIVING is established as one of the most imaginative and extensive gift, garden, interior and fashion accessory stores in East Anglia. Beautiful items for home, garden and lifestyle adorn every square inch of the double-fronted Georgian building, leafy courtyard, old stable and barn.
And for the future? Delighted with the way the shop has continued to thrive, even during the tough last year, Michael is optimistic that NORFOLK LIVING will remain a key destination for those that wish to enhance and decorate their modern homes. “The shop may be approaching its 106th birthday”, says Michael, “but we strive to offer finger-on-the-pulse style and value”.
And will we see NORFOLK LIVING offering carryout loveliness in another hundred years? As a key part of the delightful Burnham Market experience, and with Michael and his teams’ keen eye for ‘what’s gorgeous now’, we wouldn’t rule anything out.
Norfolk Living,
Market Place, Burnham Market, Norfolk, PE31 8HF.
Tel: 01328 730668.
www.norfolkliving.co.uk
Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm.
| EnjoyMent Privilege Cardholders receive a 10% discount off all full-price merchandise (excludes sale items)at Norfolk Living with an EnjoyMent Card |
