Somerset Christmas Shop Recognized Among UK’s Best by National Publication

A Somerset establishment that offers Christmas decorations throughout the year has been identified by a national newspaper as one of the finest Christmas shops in the UK. Old Rowlands Christmas Shop, located in Cheddar, was one of only seven retailers nationwide chosen for this distinction by The Times and was commended for its festive charm. Customers have characterized the store as a “Christmas heaven,” citing its extensive selection of decorations and gifts. Katherine Lacoste, the owner, expressed that the recognition was a “huge honour” and attributed the success to years of dedicated effort. Ms Lacoste stated: “We’re so thrilled. Over the last six years, we’ve built the business into what it is today, and this feels wonderful.” She established the shop with her husband, Barry, in 2021 and explained how the business had evolved over time. “When I bought the shop it had a grotto and it had been like that for a very long time.” The shop initially sold giftware and decorations. “After we opened, all the customers were coming in and saying they loved the shop so much. They would always come and buy their Christmas decorations here every year, no matter what sort of time of year it was, and I thought why are we selling giftware when everyone wants to come and buy Christmas. This is crazy.” The shop progressively transitioned to exclusively selling Christmas products, a change Ms Lacoste reported was met with an overwhelmingly positive response. She remarked, “Everyone loves it. We’ve built a huge following of fans who come back every year. We’ve created something for everyone. Whether you want Santa riding a dinosaur or something hand-painted and elegant, we have it all.” Ms Lacoste indicated that the shop’s prosperity stemmed from meticulous planning, including the procurement of products as early as January. She further noted that both local residents and visitors had supported the shop this year, solidifying its standing as a year-round festive destination. For updates, follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Story suggestions can be submitted via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.