FOXHILLS musings

The benefits of using shampoo bars for the environment is fantastic as it is amazing how much plastic we use in our bathrooms. However, the idea of changing over can be a bit scary as let's be honest - clean hair is somewhat important to our look! We are disadvantaged living in the area that we do as we have particularly hard water which doesn't lend itself to shampoo bars or hair cleaning as easily - even with bottled shampoo it's amazing the difference in my hair if I've washed it at my parents in the Midlands compared to at...

You have probably seen and heard now about the pedestrianisation of Thornbury High Street and that as a Chamber of Commerce this is something we are against. So I thought I would share with you why that is. I did record a video (it is 10 minutes long so you might want a cuppa) or here are the highlights! Firstly, this has been done without any consultation with local businesses, residents or the Chamber. We only found on Monday, which is a week before the changes take place (on the 8th June). And we found out via a video call...

Papilio coffee had Matthew join them this week. He was on work experience and was a star. So this week's sign is signed by Matthew. Not long to go until Easter!

In February we had a visit from Jakki Brown who is Joint Managing Director of Max Publishing. Max Publishing create a large number of the trade magazines for the Giftware, Greeting Cards and Homewares Industries. In a brief conversation with Jakki at a trade show in January I mentioned what we are doing at Papilio with Makaton as well as the Junior Retailer Scheme I started last summer. As a result Jakki came for a visit and an interview. The result is a double page spread in Progressive Greetings as well as a really nice intro at the start of...

We are delighted to be able to say that we are finalists in The Greats Awards. These are awards for the best Gift Shops in the UK. Last year we were successful in winning a Great for being the best Non-Specialist Retailer of Gifts (aka we're a combined Gift/Coffee Shop). This year our Junior Retailer Scheme and our work on becoming a Makaton Friendly business caught the judges eyes and we are finalists in the best Retail Initiative Category. I'm delighted with this result as I'm really proud of these two initiatives and so for others to recognise them too...