New art shop replaces Battle Post Office

Helen and Paul Baker used to run the Post Office before it moved to Jempson’s in May.

After some deliberation, the couple decided to ‘bite the bullet’ and reinvent the shop into an artist’s heaven and it is now the Crafty Norman.

The shop on Abbey Green has been open for a week or so and the former postmaster said the feedback has been all positive so far.

“The reaction this week has been fantastic and much better than we ever expected,” she said.

“People have been so pleased – they walk in the door and go wow.

“I didn’t know there were so many artists here, everyone seems to be one.”

Battle mayor Margaret Kiloh will cut the ribbon on Saturday where there will be some drinks and some Quentin Blake books on offer in a prize draw.

Helen said the idea came just from asking residents what they thought Battle needed.

“We knew people in Battle quite well by running a Post Office, and we asked people what’s missing,” she said.

“We didn’t want to compete with other shops, we wanted to complement them and revitalise this end of the high street.

“Who would have thought it would be like this a couple of weeks ago?”

The Crafty Norman has a vast array of items with Winsor & Newton, Daler Rowney and Humbrol supplying acrylics, oils, watercolour, inks and enamels.

As well as quality card and paper, das clay and affordable Americana Decor chalk paint on offer.

And if it is not in store, Helen said they can order in whatever you need.

The pair have ambitious plans for the shop with student discounts, setting up workshops for school children and more on the horizon.

“We’ve invested a lot of money and time into this,” Helen said.

“We don’t know whether it will work but from the reaction I am sure it will be.”

The launch party will be from 10am.

For more information, call the shop on 01424 773453.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter Text to display

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.