Antiques shop in West Norfolk village to re-open following extension

A shop is set to re-open in Shouldham next week, selling a variety of antiques and gifts.

Shouldham Antiques, Gifts and Interiors, which is based next to Bridget and Andrew Archibald’s other business, bed and breakfast Chalk and Cheese, opens fully on Thursday, July 2.

Bridget said the couple had a restaurant and farm shop at the site of the old converted school where they live, at Eastgate Street, since 2010, but this evolved into a B&B – although there has “always” been an antiques and gifts side of the business.

“I was keen to open that up when I retired, which I did a year ago,” she said.

Bridget said she was ready to open up the newly extended antiques shop before the coronavirus pandemic struck, but the lockdown gave her “time to do it better”.

The shop has had a “soft” opening – which was received positively – but they are now ready to open fully.

The store sells a mixture of items, including cards, crafts, furniture, books and tableware – some of which are from local suppliers.

“We have quite a range of antiques, which are mainly from the Victorian period onwards, although I occasionally have older things than that,” Bridget said.

She said there is a positive environmental side to buying second-hand items.

“In some ways second hand things are more sustainable. It’s good to renew things rather than always buying brand new.”

The shop will be open 11am to 4pm, Thursday to Sunday, and also by appointment.

Customers will be offered disposable masks at the shop, where there will be a one-way system, and hand sanitiser and wipes will also be available.

Bridget and Andrew are also looking to reopen their B&B, which has six rooms, in the near future.

For more information, call 07456 513107 or email bridget.chalkandcheese@gmail.com.