Business news

Farewell to Tinderbox Toys & Trinkets…

After just over five years trading in Earlsdon Street, Sam Harrison and Tilly Tromans have announced that they will be closing the lid on Tinderbox Toys & Trinkets at the end of March.  Sam and Tilly have really enjoyed running the shop, and have appreciated the custom and support of local people. They have done what they can to raise people’s consciousness about their shopping habits and  stressed the importance of local shopping,  but fear that with increased internet shopping the time for independent toy shops may be over.  “We have seen several toy shops open and close throughout Warwickshire. We are proud of the success we achieved with our shop, but we also know it’s time to call it a day on Tinderbox too“ said Sam.

Their closing down sale will begin on 1 March at 12 noon.  The sale will take place throughout March when they will leave to make way for local businesswoman Hannah Johnson, from Lean Body Vision, who will be launching The Juice House.

Anybody who knows Sam and Tilly will know that they have taken part and organised many community events and activities in Earlsdon Street over the past five years, with Sam currently busy with booking of stalls for the Earlsdon Festival 2014.   On Friday 21 and Saturday 22 March, Tinderbox and The Juice House will join forces to raise money for Sport Relief by organising a `stationary’ cycle ride from the shop. They will be manning a static bike and riding all the way to London and back!  “We thought this would be another great way to mark the occasion of our departure and help Hannah celebrate her arrival at Number 62.  We hope the sun shines and support from locals raises lots of money again for a good cause” explained Tilly.  Please pop by and support them.

 

…and hello to The Juice House

The Juice House will take over the Tinderbox premises on 1 April and owner Hannah Johnson hopes to be open within two weeks selling fresh juices and smoothies, salads, healthy snacks, health foods and supplements.  For more information see next month’s issue and visit the website.


Meanwhile, Lean Body Vision were expecting to move to new premises in Providence Street at the end of February.  However, having obtained planning permission and building regulations approval and just a few days away from signing the lease, the landlord  instead accepted an offer from someone else to purchase the building.  Owner Hannah Johnson is very disappointed but says that life will go on for Lean Body Vision at number 1 Earlsdon Avenue South and for Earlsdon bootcamp.   For more information visit the website.


Clive Mark Schoolwear closed their shop in Earlsdon Street at the end of January, but school uniforms can still be purchased via their website.


John Taylor & Son Butchers will be closing on Saturdays at 3pm (previously 5pm) from 1 March.  They will continue to be open Monday to Saturday from 7am each day.


 

From Litigation to Meditation

A former local Criminal Solicitor has hung up her wig and gown and embarked on a dramatic career change. Nuala Grocott, who lives in Earlsdon and has worked as a solicitor for 25 years has given up her day job to teach t’ai chi. After training with the Association of Traditional Martial Arts for 13 years she has decided to turn her enthusiasm for t’ai chi into a permanent lifestyle change.  She is a 2nd Dan in karate, (hoping to make 3rd Dan by the end of the year).  There is no equivalent belt system for t’ai chi; the joy is in the journey not the destination.  The two different but complementary disciplines go well together, the yin and yang of a hard and soft art each bringing something to the other.

Many people don’t think of t’ai chi as a martial art but it undoubtedly is.  Dating back centuries, it is the stuff of legend and for many years a closely guarded secret practised by a single family in China.  In those days it was very much a fighting art used in self-defence. However, it was also developed for its health giving properties and has always been intertwined with meditation and the development of internal discipline with an emphasis on the whole person, valuing not just physical prowess but also spiritual strength.

Nuala’s classes are informal and relaxed allowing the students to explore and find out how t’ai chi can benefit them.  She says “We are all different and the beauty of t’ai chi is that it has something for everyone and can be adapted for all levels of ability”.  She describes each class as an hour of time just for you where you can gently stretch yourself physically but also find peace and leave feeling better in both mind and body. Find out for yourself what t’ai chi has to offer you; the first class is free. See Diary for class details.


Ryan with Duncan Bannatyne
Ryan with Duncan Bannatyne

A new lettings agency, Ashmore and Co Lettings, is now operating from 2 Hearsall Lane. Its owner, Ryan Ashmore, was the youngest entrepreneur to receive an investment from Duncan Bannatyne on the BBC programme Dragons’ Den at the age of 18. Last year Ryan sold his music business and used the proceeds to launch his lettings business.

Ryan’s family has been involved in the local lettings market for over 20 years and his mother is the manager of a Coventry based housing association. ‘Having a family background in lettings has really benefited me when I was designing Ashmore and Co”, says Ryan. “I am confident that landlords will find what we have on offer to be very refreshing.

“Our slogan is ‘ALL IN HAND’. Our systems are set to find the right tenants, protect a landlord’s property and take care of all the time consuming stuff. Landlords will also be dealing directly with the business owners to ensure that the highest quality of service is always received.”

The company will be dealing with both the mainstream residential lettings market as well as the student market. Ryan adds ‘We have already had a very encouraging response after launching Ashmore and Co on 3 February. In the first week we let our first two properties and the landlords are delighted with the quality of tenants we have found for them. We need to build on this success by getting more landlords to take advantage of the great deals we are offering them.

Ryan can be contacted on 024 7671 6558 or visit the website. You can also see Ryan’s Dragon’s Den appearance online.