2 well-established and independent East Cowes businesses are hoping to swap shops to keep business booming in the town.
In applications to the Isle of Wight Council, Coast to Castle estate agents and Joker Jacks tattoo studio are looking to change the use of the other’s respective premises.
After talking about a move during a coffee break several months ago, the 2 business owners quickly realised that each other’s properties were actually the other’s dream location.
Joker Jacks began its Isle of Wight journey after a move from the Midlands, and started in a small shop on Lower York Avenue, opposite the new site. So for owner Macky Davies it’s a little like returning home. Their new premises at 9 York Avenue not only gives them the space that they need for both client privacy and reception area, but it is where they always wanted to be.
Macky says:
“For us it’s about returning to where we started. We were interested in renting the shop 5 years ago, but the timing wasn’t right for us then. Luckily when you make friends in a town like this, you get to hear people’s plans before they happen, so we jumped at the chance to move, and the Shop Swap was a great plan for all of us”.
Coast To Castle Property Services, a growing Isle of Wight estate agents, began life in the 9 York Avenue shop in 2019, and has now outgrown the premises, adding administrative staff and Priory Mortgage Advice to their team. Business owner Laura Priddle began in the 16 Ferry Road premises back in 2004 when the property was Watson Bull & Porter.
Laura says:
“When I started in Estate Agency work back in 2004, I was one of the sales negotiators in that office. We always wanted to be based in East Cowes because of its close community, and talking to the guys at Joker Jacks has proved that.
“It has always been a bit of a dream to return to where it all began, and it’s the perfect location for us. I can’t believe that we were lucky enough to be able to just swap premises like this”.
The properties are currently in planning stages to convert the shop usage in line with current legislation, but the new shops will soon change colour and begin the process of opening in late November.
You can view the applications, 22/01715/FUL and 22/01716/FUL, on the council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until 4th November.
Housing correction imminent (property crash), higher interest rates (mortgages), higher cost of living, shortage of housing for first time buyers. I wonder if the advice is to ride out this economic tidal wave and stay put and see what happens to the housing market in a few years time. I know I won’t be moving in the near future. Brave move!.
It will take more than a swap shop to give
East Cowes a Boost.
How about the Queens holiday home then? Is that good enough?
Hardly a boost to the town, but at least those who are pleading poverty and can claim benefits plus the fuel energy handouts can now spend the money on more tattoos. That’s after having a new smart phone to go with their Range Rover Discovery.
Only pirates and the simple minded have tattoos.
Most Caulkheads have more Tattoo’s than sense.
Don’t forget the Vape too!
I love how you assume that people getting tattoos are the same people that plead poverty. I know a judge with tattoos and he would never drive something a cheap as a Discovery.