Suffolk: Baby store Fox + Bramble to open in Felixstowe

Fox + Bramble, which currently has a shop in St Peter’s Street, Ipswich, will be opening in Felixstowe where Scarborows Opticians and Hearing Care once stood on the corner of Orwell Road and Stanley Road before moving to a new site in the town’s Hamilton Road.

Fox + Bramble owner Sarah Blanchard said she was hoping to open in March, but did not have a definitive date, adding there was an opportunity in Felixstowe because the town did not have a similar business to hers.

The interior of the Fox Bramble store (Image: Sarah Blanchard)

In addition, she grew up in the town and felt the area had a bright future in spite of some negativity about the number of vacant shop fronts in the town centre from retailers that had closed down.

“We are making a start on work straight away. We have already got a store in Ipswich and it is going from strength to strength. We have set up online and we have got a website as well.

“I grew up in Felixstowe and know the town quite well, so I thought ‘why not give it a go?’”

The former Scarborough opticians premises in Orwell Road, Felixstowe which has now been vacated (Image: Google Maps)

The business specialises in goods for the baby and pre-school market, up to the age of four or five and stocks a range of well-known brands, including some from Scandinavia.

The Ipswich store opened nearly two years ago and currently has three staff, as well as Mrs Blanchard, who also runs a section that makes paper flowers for retail displays.

She said at the moment she was not intending to hire any more staff for the Felixstowe store, which will be open from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4.30pm.

“I think some people see negatives, but I see a lot of potential in Felixstowe and I think over the next few years the town is really going to thrive. I grew up there and it is a really lovely place,” Mrs Blanchard added.