Britain in Boutiques 2013

Written on 22 Oct 2013

Not content with entry in to the annual Britain in Boutique competition to see Tunbridge Wells listed as a centre of floral excellence, the council appear to be forging the way to win 2013's Britain in Boutique competition.

With the loss of "Audio T" at the top of the High St. followed by Winkworth's downsize and move, we were left with two empty shop units.  Oh no, we cry, no one likes an empty shop front.

Fear not!  Boutiques to the rescue.

Hot on the heels of the OSKA women's boutique clothes shop, we now have Isle Jacobsen in the audio shop, which appear to specialise in boutique rain wear and a new Scotish boutique cashmere shop.

Three new boutiques in as many months!  I can't keep up!

Sarcasm aside, I'm not sure what I'd prefer in their place.  I think another wine bar/wine shop wouldn't be a bad addition - tasting and bottles, with cheese and other niblets?  I think this used to exist near the station (before my time), so perhaps it wasn't a viable business model.

Anyone have any brighter ideas?  I fear the concentration of boutiques is going to lead to an implosion on the high street and they'll all go pop at the same time and it'll be a competition between the High St and Old Cinema site for most number of boarded up shops.