“Home” was the word Susie Watson used when responding to a question by her son Toby regarding the feel of the new flagship Susie Watson Design store in Marlborough at the grand opening party last night (Thursday 12 September). Quality art and design to be enjoyed every day, as part of our lives.
Susie Watson Designs has moved a few doors along the High Street, from one iconic retail site to another of similar heritage. For some while they had occupied what was once Duck’s Toyshop, adjacent to the Castle & Ball but now it’s on a different scale altogether. A multi-floor emporium of stylish design excellence – in the premises formerly occupied (for a short while, anyway) by Eversfield Organics and before that The Edinburgh Woollen Mill where anyone with a severe craving for tartan cashmere and shortbread would have discovered their own personal heaven. But further back it was where Marlborough High Street’s love of Coffee Shops started – ‘The Georgian’ cafe and restaurant. OK, that’s going back several decades but the building is full of history and from the outside it’s very much as it was then, but inside…….. Now something else.
Susie Watson Designs is a family business. Designs are created, handbuilt or handmade (depending on the item) but all there because of Susie’s approval and eye for design. Susie is dedicated to design, daughter Anna described holidays on the beach, where it always had to be the right spot on any beach. Susie Watson Designs is very much that, designs by, directed by or endorsed by Susie. Created by hand? Yes. Even the china mugs are drawn by hand prior to firing.
The family business ethos spreads further than those now running the retail side here. Susie was effusive in their relationship with their suppliers in India. Tamil Nadu in the South of India where textiles are made, and Rajasthan in the North where furniture and rugs are created. Suppliers? Yes, but more – of long standing – and part of the extended Susie Watson ‘family’.
So last night was the celebration of the move to the new flagship premises. With ‘musical accompaniment’ and stilt walkers entertaining guests, it was a grand evening and just entering the front door was an experience, a welcoming environment so different to how it was a couple of months or so ago.
‘Home’ – it’s how Susie wants customers to feel when they walked in. Comfortable, with quality and unique designs adorning everywhere. Now occupying one of Marlborough’s imposing and historic seventeenth century buildings, where better to present the designs and style that mark what her eponymous business offers Marlborough’s many visitors and residents.
Another serious accident on A4 at West Kennett – cyclist with potentially life-threatening injuries
