A & S Country Sports has opened for business next door to Perry’s ironmongers. Once again Wellington has avoided being another episode in that dreary modern soap titled Death of the High Street.
Anna Robert, with help from her partner Simon, has transformed the former babywear shop into a real hideaway for hunting, shooting and fishing. The “log wall” at the back of the shop looks so real you could get a splinter off it.
Olympic shooter Abbey Burton from Wrangway plus her partner and fellow international shooter Ed Ling were guest of honour at the opening party for A & S on Saturday and Mike, who used to run Wellington Country Sports until he retired and sold the shop has been a frequent visitor and advisor.
“There’s a real market for this kind of a shop in Wellington,” said Anna, who grew up on a family farm. “People who shoot don’t want to have to drive to Mole Valley or Exeter for cartridges, say.”
A & S will specialise in country clothing, including the exclusive Jack Murphy range imported from Ireland, plus Jack Pyke shooting accessories and a wide range of air rifles and coarse fishing equipment. Gear for sea fishing may well be in the pipeline if the demand is there.
“We’re also thinking about camping kit,” added Steve. “Once Glastonbury gets near and the other festivals there’s a big demand for pop-up tents and sleeping bags.”
They now have a brand new website at http://www.ascountrysports.co.uk