There’s been some shop swapping in Littleport to good effect! I thought why not take a glance at how some of our modern shops have come to be where they are!
For instance, The Old Butcher’s Shop Café on the corner of White Hart Lane and Station Road, became the Bijou Kitchen run by the owner of Wok This Way, after its proprietors retired. Many a cooked breakfast is still enjoyed there though!
In Main Street The Boswell bakers and café was taken over by the new café, restaurant and bar, Habis, now a popular continental eaterie and coffee shop, and almost next door in the old Barclays Bank building is the new barbers, a branch of Kings Barbers from Ely.
As you continue your walk, at first glance the Adams Ironmongers that was built before the turn of the 20th century looks the same as ever. But when its owners shut shop albeit reluctantly, it was bought for development by a local man (who deserves a special named mention – Peter Audus) who loved this village so much, he presented the entire frontage and retail room behind plus the commensurate upstairs space, for use as a heritage centre, which has thrived under its trustees ever since!
The old electrical appliances shop is now the busy Egis J & E clothing repairs, restyles and alterations.
The Bargain Centre, the oldestablished drapers and general store, swapped premises with Sigma Embroidery and printing on fabric specialist, who needed more room for their increasing orders from individuals as well as clubs and businesses.
The barbers that has a modern depiction of the red and white pole outside from the olden days, called Erika’s Barber Shop, next door to the Bargain Centre, is a very modern establishment now, run by Erika Urboniene who trained under the former long-term resident barber until his retirement. Now, together with her staff, she gives their clients a Mayfair standard of hairdressing for Littleport prices!
And down the road apiece in the old Cox’s Butchers premises, is the Coffee Cup with its bistro style and outdoor tables – just like Covent Garden!
A little further on the Bridal Wear Shop has morphed into a Costcutter convenience store, and extremely convenient it has proved for many satisfied customers.
Cross the road and you’ll find more swapped shops!
Walking back, you will find the old Holmes Furnishers now houses Supermarket Cheap! This is a veritable goldmine of very affordable household items.
Then just prior to more actual swapped shops, the new Cod Father provides delicious fish and chips where there weren’t any before!
Continuing our stroll, Mellymade Designs, craft workshops etcetera, is in the old YPL shop on the next corner – and opposite to where supermarket Cheap used to be.
When the Lloyds Chemist upped sticks to the new St George’s Medical Centre, Rima – and her wonderful Lithuanian, Eastern European and Scandinavian style supermarket, who was renting that corner property, moved into the larger vacated lot. Supermarket Cheap traded from there after that, before the new opportunity to transfer into a bigger place materialised!
Take a short trip off Main Street again down Granby Street and you’ll find Ness & Ems trendy hairdressers in what was once upon a time Coleby’s famous fishing tackle shop.
Back in Main Street we are walking towards what was probably the first of all our changes, the Coop that was built on the site of the historic Globe Public House. This was whee Littleport’s mutual benefit club members began the riot in April 1816. There is a memorial plaque.
Beynur’s Tattoo Studio expanded into the shop next door when it became available, as befits an international prize-winner in his field!
There are many other very good shops and businesses to patronise in the village, both in Main Street and its immediate environs, and a little further like High Street, Parsons Lane and Wisbech Road, but we trust you will find this interesting, and will park up if you drive, in the free Main Street car park, and take a walk around the shops and see what’s on offer yourself, particularly if you are among the hundreds of newcomers to Littleport.