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Wild Sussex

Paul Copsey, and his partner Sam Claydon, wear many hats when it comes to carving out their busy careers. As well as working in their various jobs involving forestry and woodland management (Paul), and web and social media (Sam), they also find time to run their hugely successful weekend pop-up shop Wild Sussex, from a beautiful stone barn in the picturesque West Sussex countryside.

 

The Shop

When did Wild Sussex open? We opened the shop in 2012.

Shop genre? The shop supports local craftsmen and women, many of whom specialise in traditional methods and products that conserve the Sussex countryside.

Why did you open Wild Sussex? The makers we support are very talented individuals, but many of them do not have access to the buying public on any kind of feasible financial scale. Bringing their range of products together as a collective is more advantageous and profitable for all parties involved. We’re passionate about our local environment and keeping traditional craft alive – without the financial support of the buying public, many of these traditions will be lost forever.

Who designed the shop? The shop is housed in a beautiful old, open-fronted, stone Sussex barn, with an earthen floor. I used to drive past it every day on my way to work and eventually approached the landowner with my idea about using it as a pop-up shop. Luckily, he agreed, and it’s been wonderful giving the building a renewed purpose.

What are you best known for? Our main products in winter are logs and kindling, which we sell by the barrow load. Monday to Friday, I (Paul) work in conservation and woodland management, and we turn the trees we fell into firewood using the traditional combination of an axe and hard work! We do a roaring trade at Christmas as we sell local Christmas trees, and it’s our favourite time of year. Bean rods, peasticks and plant supports are very popular with gardeners in the spring, but we also stock all sorts of Sussex specialties such as trugs, pimps and splint baskets all year round, as well as pottery, kitchen chopping/serving boards and local seasonal produce.

Where is your product sourced? We only choose to stock products that connect with our ethos and meet our standards. We carefully research, and then approach, only those makers whom we admire and share our values so that we can be proud to have them as part of the Wild Sussex community.

What makes your shop unique? Our shop is unique as it only opens on Saturdays, although we do open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in December. Our staff all have their own careers during the week, but enjoy the ‘giving back’ aspect of the Wild Sussex shop at the weekend. By buying any of our products you’re not only keeping traditional craft alive, but in many ways, you’re also contributing to the Sussex landscape and conserving countryside biodiversity.

Who are your customers? We have a very loyal customer base, mostly in the local area, many of whom visit the shop most weekends. We also have many customers that travel from as far afield as Brighton and London, and we always love meeting new people, especially when they’ve been following us on social media for a while and we finally get to meet them in person!

 

The Shopkeepers

 

Who or what inspires you? We’re inspired by the passion, commitment and hard work of the community of craftspeople we support. Many of them have spent years becoming experts in their field and are dedicated to producing products that are not only beautiful, but also useful, and in some cases, have a far-reaching effect on the natural landscape. We’re proud to be able to help tell their story and play a small part in the longevity of their crafts.

As well as being a shopkeeper, I also…spend time during the week mostly working in forestry and woodland management, conservation and countryside management and tree surgery. Sam works in web and social media for various businesses and charities. Bob is an ecologist, and we have various other occasional helpers, all of whom work during the week in other capacities.

The hardest lesson learned in starting a business? My previous business grew too big, too fast, and I lost touch with the aspects of the business that I enjoyed the most. With this venture, I have ensured that we offer diversity, quality, and excellent service, while leaving enough time to be fully involved and to make products myself.

What tasks do you like to delegate? I’m not great at paperwork as I enjoy being outdoors too much, and struggle to give it my full attention, so Sam has been invaluable in taking on some aspects of this. Bob is our rock though, he’s always the first person on site in the morning and the last person to leave at night. He’s incredibly reliable, cheerful and well-loved by the customers.

The best lesson you have learned opening a shop? I’ve learned that it’s impossible to be all things to all people, but if you keep your integrity and hold on to your principles, there will be those customers that share your values and vision and will want to help you succeed.

What would be your advice for anyone wanting to open a shop? Find people with skills in the areas that you lack, delegate, and focus on the areas where you shine. Having a good team can make all the difference.

Which famous person would you like to visit your shop? We’re most impressed by people who are doing things their way, rather than conforming to society norms, and are giving back to the environment in some way.

What is your perfect day off? Days off are few and far between, but the perfect day off would probably include the cinema, a long walk, good food and a log fire. Oh, and lots of good coffee!

Can you share your five favourite shops? Sussex Produce, Steyning; Infinity Foods, Brighton; Labour and Wait, London; Closet and Botts, Lewes; and Flint Owl Bakery, Lewes

What is your favorite neighborhood coffee shop/restaurant? The Horse Guards Inn in Tillington, run by Sam and Misha is unconventional and friendly, and they serve the best food around!

I wish I could…have a day off!

 

On the Future of Retail

“We’re starting to see a change in the way people source their goods. I think a backlash has begun to the predictability and uniformity of the High Street chain stores, and the throw-away attitude of the last few decades. As consumers start to care more about the quality of their goods and understand the power in their spending, we hope to see support grow for shops like ours that sell local, thoughtful and unique products.”

Words & Photos: Stephanie Bateman Sweet The Lifestyle Editor

Wild Sussex

 Stopham, West Sussex

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