Hailsham Mayor Opens New Shop in Town Centre

Town Mayor Councillor Paul Holbrook took part in the opening of a brand new shop in Hailsham town centre on Saturday [5 December].

The Mayor joined the proprietor to declare Simply Weigh officially open for business and was among a small number of people at a socially distanced event to explore the new shop located at 2B St Mary’s Walk.

Simply Weigh and is an eco-living/refill shop, whereby customers are able to visit the shop with their own containers and purchase a wide range of products, although paper bags are available should people just pop in to buy something.

Products range from herbs and spices to many different kinds of rice, flour, pasta, beans and pulses, chocolates and dried fruit. Vegan and some gluten free products are also available, in addition to Bio-D washing powders, Faith in Nature shampoos, hand wash and a peanut butter machine, where customers can make their own freshly-ground peanut butter.

“Hailsham is a growing and busy town with lots of small friendly shops,” said proprietor Katrina Hodges, who has been involved in the charity sector for more than 20 years. “I wanted to be part of the future of Hailsham, which means I am so pleased that the Mayor of Hailsham Paul Holbrook was able to join us on Saturday to make our opening official.”

“Supporting the ‘Shop Local’ scheme, my goal is ‘to make one small difference at a time’ to help the environment, locally and globally. By offering a refill facility, people can use their own containers meaning there is less packaging going to waste. It also limits the amount of food waste, as people can buy just the amount they need.”

“I look forward to meeting lots of new people and helping them to make small differences so we can all make a bigger difference together.”

Simply Weigh is one of several new businesses which have opened in Hailsham town centre in recent months, despite the ongoing pandemic. Such businesses include Huckleberry Hair Salon and Hailsham Barbers in the High Street, Sweet Tooth in Market Square, 847847 Taxis in George Street, Flowers By Maybugs in Vicarage Field and Happy Paws in St Mary’s Walk.

Town Mayor Cllr Paul Holbrook, who cut the ribbon at the official opening said: “I am delighted to have been asked to open the new shop and it’s wonderful to see enterprising people continue to set up businesses in our town, despite the pandemic which has affected the local economy to a considerable degree. We have an increasingly vibrant town centre and the opening of Simply Weigh is a great addition!”

“I wish Katrina and her business venture every success in the future.”

Simply Weigh is open on Mondays to Fridays from 10am-4pm and Saturdays, 9.30am-3pm

For more information, call 01323 441467 or visit www.simplyweigh.co.uk.

**PHOTOGRAPH BY LEWIS ISTED