OBVIOUSLY we couldn’t launch our ‘Buy Island’ campaign without including the newly opened ‘Made on the Isle of Wight’ emporium at Bullen Road in Ryde.
At the former Bullen Mead Nursery site, ‘Made on the Isle of Wight’ does exactly what it says on it’s double ticked logo – it sells only goods that have been grown, produced, made or manufactured here on the Island with some 85 Island growers, producers and craftsmen is being brought together under one roof.
“We are creating the Island’s first one-stop-shop selling the best of absolutely everything that is grown or made here,” said the company’s founder and managing director, Robin Courage.
“We will also be selling online and at fairs on the mainland. This is not just about one shop, it’s about promoting a strong, instantly recognizable, high quality image for the work that is done on the Island.”
Courage came to live here eight years ago with his wife, Serena, who is working with him in the venture, and two sons, now aged 19 and 17, both of whom are involved.
“When we arrived we were astonished to find such a wealth of creativity, there are so many small rural businesses here, making goods of a very high quality. I’ve spent my life in marketing and it struck me that gathering all these different talents and promoting them together would be of benefit to all the growers and makers as individuals, and it would also burnish the image of the Island as a whole,” said Robin.
“I hope our logo will become synonymous with items that are original, well-made and distinctive. I believe we are the only organisation on the Island that is solely devoted to selling Island produce and products under one umbrella, and I firmly believe that by marketing all these top-quality businesses together, they will benefit as a whole and as individuals,” said Courage.
The Made on the Isle of Wight shop, the first stage in the venture, is in Bullen Road, outside Ryde, the site of the Bullen Mead retail nursery. It is spacious and stylish with the decor in keeping with the Island’s close relationship with the sea.
There are areas dedicated to food, cosmetics, wood-work, textiles, ceramics, jewellery, furniture, prints and paintings. Some of the Island’s best-known names will appear on the shelves, among them the Isle of Wight Cheese Company, Dunsbury Lamb and Molly Attrill.
But suppliers also include craftsmen working on a smaller scale, such as Frank Heap who whittles decorative pencils and dibbers from wood coppiced on his own land. There will also be products made by young Islanders just starting out in business, including Louise Parkin of The Baby Patch who set up her company making blankets and bunting for babies earlier this year and Tracy Stockdale of the Isle of Wight Truffle Company.
A large portion of the site has been given over to local growers Brian and Gill Quirk, who will be growing unusual plants and herbs to sell in the shop. There will also be space for demonstrations and workshops.
“I hope this venue will become a favourite with local people and a new and inspiring destination for visitors,” said Courage.
