Whilst many high streets up and down the country continue to struggle in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and people’s changing shopping habits, it seems Ruddington is coping better than many.
Although there have been shop closures here, generally our retail units in the village centre don’t stay empty for long. Currently there are plenty of new arrivals. In fact the opening of ‘The Courtyard’ two years ago – an attractive new shopping precinct where mainly derelict old buildings used to be – plus the redevelopment of the former Barclay & Cook site across the road – actually added to the number of shops and offices available for rent in Ruddington.
Indeed, one of the most recent changes has taken place at 6, The Courtyard where new village business The Craft Workshop, {pictured top left} run by Lacey and Fred Egglenton, offers not only a comprehensive range of craft supplies but also regular craft workshops, activities and opportunities to learn. Lacey’s Lovely Crafts – her previous business – had become well known for its regular stall at Ruddington’s monthly Village Market, before she took the plunge with Fred to run the dedicated shop here.
This shop unit became available when Zing Interiors decided to move down ‘The Courtyard’ recently into the larger premises formerly owned by Sshockwave Cycles – with Jayne Welbourn’s main shop entrance now at 13, Church Street.
Also new to our village centre is ‘Jo Roome Chartered Certified Accountants’ {pictured top right} who, in August, transferred from working at home in Ruddington to her own office within ‘The Ruddington Business Rooms’ at the corner of High Street and Kirk Lane (above JP Lettings). You can read more about Jo and her business >>HERE<<.
Sited within the new extension and pretty gardens at Framework Knitters’ Museum is the new coffee shop in Parker’s Yard run by Split Screen Coffee Company‘s Jen Walker and Mike Gaunt {pictured top – bottom left}. With the cafe’s popularity growing week by week, the museum has just received the welcome news of an £8,000 award from the Museum Development East Midlands (MDEM)’s Reset & Recovery Grants Scheme to develop the museum shop further within this dedicated retail space. You can read more >>HERE<<.
‘Parker’s Yard’ is no longer Ruddington’s newest cafe, however. That honour now goes to ‘Coffee & Cake by the Lake’ which was officially opened in Rushcliffe Country Park last week.
Another notable recent addition to our village centre, which is yet to open, is Ruddington Barber {pictured top – bottom right} – taking over the premises at 24A High Street recently vacated by Classic Cuts. After the loss of Aidy’s Barbers on Dutton’s Hill last December, it means we’ll soon be back up to three dedicated gents’ stylists in Ruddington – with this new one offering ‘Kurdish style barber’ haircuts and ‘hot towel shaves’.
And that’s not it! We can also reveal that a new pizza takeaway is set to move into 18, High Street – after a relatively short tenure by ‘Sweet Moments’. Meantime, contracts are being exchanged for Ruddington’s historic butchers’ shop at 15-17 Church Street. After lying empty for two years, its new owner is reportedly planning to thoroughly refurbish before re-letting these premises. However, it’s thought, with the arrival of Elms Farm on High Street – they’re unlikely to become a butcher’s shop again.
Finally, in case you’ve not heard, Ruddington is set to lose both of its current Spar shops imminently, after relatively short stays. As previously reported, Ruddington Service Station‘s recently expanded premises along Loughborough Road will soon become home to ‘ASDA On The Move’, whilst the former Grice’s/Sainsbury’s Local on Dutton’s Hill will shortly be joining the ‘Go Local Extra’ chain run by Parfetts.
RUDDINGTON.info will be sure to keep you posted about further village business developments. Meantime, if you know something happening in Ruddington which we’re not yet reporting, please do contact us >>HERE<<.
