MELKSHAM’S Littlebrook Centre on Bath Road has been given a breath of fresh air by local business owners.
The centre, beside the entrance to Waitrose, is the hub for a number of independent local businesses. Andy York Photography, CJ’s café, Honeys, Candy Jax, and Mamma Mia all share the courtyard, as well as Shaw Trust and Waitrose.
After it fell into disrepair many years ago, the traders decided to renovate the space by cleaning it themselves, and bringing in horticulturist Claire Smith to maintain the planters and hanging baskets. The large central planter is looked after by Waitrose.
One trader, Andy York, said, “It being hidden away is a disadvantage from a business point of view, but that’s what gives it a charm. The courtyard has quiet, safe, and secluded seating away from the main road. There’s something really peaceful about sitting out there with a cup of coffee.”
The area is private land so the council are not responsible for its maintenance, however the shopkeepers are looking to secure funding to develop the courtyard further.
They are exploring the possibility of adding a water feature and increasing signage, as well as hosting small community events in the space.
Christine York said, “We want to keep improving the courtyard so more people can enjoy it and we can create a real identity for the area.”
Andy York, as well as doing commissioned photography, does passport photos, framing, restoration, copying, and creative work. He also recently launched the Melksham Memories project; a collection of over 1,000 photos of Melksham through history, which is on show in the shop. They welcome browsers and are a key member of the Littlebrook project.
The area also has an array of food on offer from CJ’s café, which offers breakfast and lunch to eat-in, take away, or enjoy in the outdoor seating area; Honeys’ cakes and milkshakes; Candy Jax’s old-fashioned and favourite sweets, and Mamma Mia’s authentic stone baked pizzas and pasta dishes.
