Southwest watch retailer Allum & Sidaway has relocated its flagship Ringwood store to a larger premises on the same street in the market town.
The independent retail mini chain, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, has upgraded to a retail floorspace that is five times bigger than its original Ringwood shop located two doors down from the new premesis.
Allum & Sidaway was renting its previous shop in Ringwood but has now bought the three-storey building that holds its new flagship store, although not all of this space is dedicated to its retail operations.
Allum & Sidaway managing director Jason Allum said: “We are incredibly excited about this new store and the new space it gives us. Our opening exceeded all expectations and we were overjoyed by the wonderful comments made by customers and visitors alike.
“We look forward to welcoming many more new and existing customers to our new showroom. This store marks our expansion as a company and we hope it will be the pride of this unique county town.”
The location of the new store, which opened its doors on March 16, was formerly the Old Market House that was built in 1734 and used as a meeting point for farmers visiting the historic market town. The building was originally located on Market Place in Ringwood but was moved brick by brick in 1867 to High Street. The Grade II-listed building, which held an opticians shop before Allum & Sidaway moved in, still retains some of its original frontage of the first Old Market House.
Allum & Sidaway company secretary Denise Crossland, whose grandfather founded the business, said that the new store has received a positive reaction from its customers. "Some of them have said it’s like bringing Bond Street to Ringwood," she said. "The old store was much smaller and had a lovely atmosphere but the reaction to the new store has been wonderful."
Allum & Sidaway’s watch offer includes Citizen, Rotary and Toy Watch. The retailer has five stores: the new store in Ringwood as well as Gillingham and Dorset, Dorchester, Salisbury and Shaftesbury.
