Clair and her partner have three children, so had used the shop over many years and didn’t want to see it close.

 

As well as being a great business, with so many children in the Fiveways area, the toy shop also aims to be an important community asset.

 

This approach is shared by many of the local traders, who see their enterprises developing in response to local needs.

 

They’re planning to form a traders’ association to ensure that all the positive developments continue, including nurturing strong links between the shops and the local community.

 

Clair is not the only trader in the area who's quite new - nearly half the local businesses are in their first, second or third year of trading.

 

These include Sara’s Sweets, Rule 5 Bikes, Preloved Brighton and a recently refurbished cafe on the same parade as Wigwam Toys.

 

I hope that these continue to grow and make a valuable contribution to Fiveways; and thank you to Clair and all the other people I met for making me feel so welcome.

 

For more info see the Facebook page, Fiveways Shop Local - https://www.facebook.com/fivewaysshoplocal

 

 

Image: Caroline outside Wigwam Toys with shop proprietor Clair Letton