I would very much like the shop to continent pretty much as it is, if of course this is viable for you Fiona. I really enjoy my trips to see what stock you have.

I admit that I'm guilty of perhaps not making that many purchases. What I have bought has been absolutely unique and perfect for what I had in mind.

I am aware that fluffly words of support mean little when compared to making the business a success.

Maybe this could be an opportunity for you to experiment a little? With On The Corner now longer open during the day, maybe try a simple coffee service? Not a full on cafe, simply tea and a coffee machine? You have the perfect location.

Or what about letting out some of the space for evening events? As the St John's Ambulance thread has made evidently clear, Wivenhoe is short on space for evening arts events. With Darren sadly moving on from the Black Buoy, this *may* be the loss of another space for live entertainment.

I know of a couple of locals who are possibly looking for some space for daytime projects. Mark's tea and cake business could be looking for an opening. I also know of a local chap who is floating the idea of a cycle repair shop / cycle themed coffee shop. Happy to put you in touch with both.

So yeah - see this as hopefully an opportunity for the next stage. Once again, words mean little; locals need to support local businesses.

Closing? NO!!!!

Cycle/tea and cake sounds good to me.

Anyone fancy a bakery in the village? Perhaps a coffee shop tie-in.

Here's a little more on Matt, the Wivenhoe Bike Guru who is in the process of setting up a cycle / coffee social space in Colchester.

A coffee/cake shop or a bakery sounds good.  Tudor rooms is nice for food and so is Jardines.  Jardine's £2.20 for a coke is questionnable but their cakes are nice and good value.  So a basic coffee shop with reasonable priced drinks would be good. 

Having another coffee shop in an existing retail unit would involve an application to CBC for a change of use. Do we really want another coffee shop? Will soon be catching up with the Estate Agents.

If Fiona feels it's a viable business option then that's fine. I think she has a quirky shop as it is. Having a business in Wivenhoe is never going to make you millions but I take the view that as long as I can pay the bills then that's enough for me, so it really depends what Fiona is after long term.

I wish her good luck whatever she decides to do with the shop.

No more coffee shops are needed, surely? I suggest a second-hand book and picture shop - no major investment needed for Curiosities and many of us could empty half our shelves and walls (and then fill them up again!). Maybe a small museum with really curious curiosities and charge an entrance fee - something visitors and children would enjoy on a rainy day. How about an automaton or two (as on Southwold Pier) - always a delight and very popular.

To clarify - it is my understanding that a coffee shop per se isn't being considered - simply the option to buy a decent hot drink whilst inside the existing shop. Cannsdale and Ross offer something similar in the veg shop.

Internet Cafe? with an art gallery?

I'd love a pie and mash shop to be honest, or a decent beer shop.

I like the shop as it is. I gives vistiors something else to stroll around but it would also be good if it could be used for small arts events and gigs. Such a venue is seriously lacking in Lower Wivenhoe and it threatens to fragment the excellent arts community that lives here.  

What about showing people how to recondition second hand furniture, or ornaments and selling some of it on site? In these days when money is tight knowing how to turn your hand to make something old look cool and new willl surely be popular - you could get local crafts / arts people to demo ideas have with some of the stock and up the ante on the window display?

- Sales driver and added value, sure fire winner!

Second hand books AND a cup of coffee might be nice - how about a comfy settee with a coffee table in the centre of the room and bookshelves around the walls. It's a really interesting shop to wander around but I'm trying to reduce my clutter not add to it, so I will only buy if I absolutely love something - I'm sure that I am not in the minority!

Can Fiona rent out wall space to Wivenhoe artists or/and display pottery and have a percentage of sales. I know someone who sold second hand books then bought them back for a quarter of the price. They were very successful but they were in the middle of a big town. I really hope something can be done to help this shop.

This already happens with the cabinet space in the second room. As well as generating money (although not much - Fiona is very generous to local artists...) it also adds to the display appeal in the windows.

When I went in yesterday there were no display cabinets in the second room just large pieces of furniture.