Looking forward to an open High Street in Hurst

With High Street restrictions having been eased by the Government from the middle of June, many across the country will see this as a positive step towards some kind of normality after nearly three months of lockdown.

This period has meant that all the norms of life were radically changed and shopping was certainly a big part of that.

Of course, some shops in Hurstpierpoint were able to stay open – albeit under very different circumstances. Elsewhere in this magazine The Co-op management team have been given credit for being the very essence of community-minded during the peak of the crisis.

But shops like Pierpoint Pet Supplies, Gibsons and Hampers have all continued to make it possible for locals to get hold of what they needed. Nigel from JanTon newsagents would leave early in the morning for his supplier in order to get hold of much-needed stock of scarce products like flour and toilet rolls.

Jess from Poponin commented: “I am delighted that the High Street is slowly opening up again. The support from shops that were able to remain open has been great, but it will be wonderful to see others, including us, dusting things down and getting back to some normality. We look forward to throwing open our doors and welcoming you.”

The lack of open shops has not only meant a reduction in what can be purchased, but also the social joy of meeting people on the High Street. Louise from Raven explained: “It reinforces how important village life and the community is. Customers stopping for a chat on the High Street and sharing thoughts is critical for small businesses as it increases footfall.”

Nicky from Sussex Osteopath commented: “We are delighted to be back for osteopathy and counselling. It’s so lovely to see the smiling faces of my patients again, all be it that they have to then cover them with their masks!” A sentiment that is shared across the board.

“We are super excited for our Covid come back and can’t wait to see all of our lovely customers again,” Millie from Marram said.

Murray explained that The New Inn team has taken the time to refurbish, redecorate and re-equip the pub: “But now we must focus on customer safety. We will be doing our absolute best to ensure that our customers can be as confident as possible that their visit will not be putting them at any increased risk of infection.”

Ann from Columbines Health & Beauty said: “I have really enjoyed having the time off during lockdown and have done loads of things, jobs around my home and garden, helping hedgehogs and baking cakes for the neighbours etc! But now is the time to get back to real life, and I am really looking forward to seeing clients again.”

“We can’t wait to see everyone once we reopen,” echoed Daniel from Lustig & Webb. “But Stephen and I have enjoyed walking out into the fields and really getting to know the area better. The sense of community is so strong. We are very lucky to be here.”

Never has it been more important to support those shops and businesses on our doorstep – many of whom have had a very tough few months. But some of whom have taken great personal risks to stay open for business at a time when many of us were safely sitting in our homes.

We end with these positive words from Louise: “We were actually counting the sleeps until reopening and are really excited to have now done so! I am hopeful that small High Street businesses will thrive in this new world.”

Behind the Counter in Hurstpierpoint

Nicki Newson, Sussex Osteopath and Complementary Health Clinic

In 2007 Nicki Newson decided to take control of her own destiny. At the time she was a nurse working for the NHS, but things were tough. This is the story of how an osteopathy and complementary health clinic landed on the High Street, right where they used to sell combine harvesters!

By David Tingley

Nicki has always loved working with people. Her career started when she qualified as a nurse and has worked at various hospitals in Sussex, including Southlands in Shoreham. She has worked in some particularly challenging departments but none more so than Intensive Care. “The High Dependency Unit,” Nicki recalled, “was a place where things change so fast. Clearly some tragic events took place there, but also some amazing breakthrough moments too.”

“We don’t just treat the symptom, we look at the person as a whole.”

— Nicki Newson

The frustrations of the National Health Service were taking their toll on Nicki however, and she began to look for a way out. Nicki explained: “I’d always had an interest in complementary health, and I’d seen an osteopath myself over many years, so I took the decision to retrain.”

After deciding to retrain, Nicki moved to working in the Private sector, mainly in the High Dependency Unit at the Sussex Nuffield. It took four years full-time for her to gain a BSc degree in Osteopathy, during which time she continued to work as a nurse in HDU and latterly in Casualty in Ashford, Kent. “The course was a tough one, with evenings and holidays taken up in the student clinic from year two onwards. I graduated in 2003.” It was a very difficult course, both physically and academically, but when she graduated she was awarded Best Clinician of the year.

In the early 2000s, 135-137 High Street was a retail unit for agricultural machinery supplier Harper and Eede Limited. “It may seem unbelievable to some, but there was a yard at the back (now built on) with all sorts of massive farm equipment in! The High Street was very different, even only 11 years ago,” Nicki comments. Despite a lot of interest in the site in 2007, she managed to secure it for what she was planning.

The location was perfect, as she was living in Brighton at the time but was used to working around Lewes and Haywards Heath – so Nicki had plenty of contacts.

“It was always going to be a team business,” she explains. “One of the key enjoyable aspects of my nursing career was being part of a team, so I was keen to work with and alongside like-minded practitioners who could all work together.”