SUFFOLK

OUT AND ABOUT

PEASENHALL DEBENHAM WOODBRIDGE ALDEBURGH MARCO PIERRE WHITE NICK KNOWLES GARY AVIS

SUFFOLK ON SCREEN THE MAN WHO BUILT A JAG SWEFFLING INTERIORS

EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES suffolk.greatbritishlife.co.uk

EADT SUFFOLK SUFFOLKS BEST-SELLING COUNTY MAGAZINE AUGUST 2011

Issue 135 August 2011 3.25

CELEBRITY INTERVIEWS

HIGH SUMMER IN SUFFOLK 20 GREAT SUFFOLK DAYS OUT

PLUS: LAURA WRIGHT, RETURN OF SUFFOLKS ANGEL

PACK UP THE PERFECT PICNIC WALK IN MAGICAL MEADOWS

SUFFOLK shopping

Set against a stunning backdrop of whispering reed beds and vast skies, Snape Maltings has become a must-visit Suffolk destination. Shekha Vyas caught up with Alesha Gooderham who explained why the Maltings offers a shopping experience totally different to that of the high street

Breathing new life into

Snape Maltings
ought by George Gooderham in 1965, the beautiful and imposing Victorian buildings that house Snape Maltings were originally intended for agricultural use. But all that changed with the establishment of Aldeburgh Music in 1967, when renowned composer Benjamin Britten approached George about using one of the maltings houses as a venue for the Summer Proms. Quick to spy an opportunity, George opened The Shop on The Quay, a converted boatshed, to sit alongside what then became Aldeburgh Music. With the success of this and the tea shop that followed soon after, it was clear the maltings were destined for cultural use and had vast potential. Now Johnny and Alesha Gooderham are continuing the work that George, who has since retired, began by transforming each space into something truly unique. The collection of buildings hosts a variety of boutique shops, cafes and galleries all made distinctive by extraordinary themed windows. The idea of Snape was to retain the history of the buildings, not making them clinical but actually

Above; the Snape Maltings complex set against a huge Suffolk sky. Opposite; a look inside some of the many different shops at Snape Maltings which sell everything from food and furniture to giftware and artworks. Far right centre; Alesha and Johnny Gooderham
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creating wonderful spaces inside and good shops, explains Alesha. And of course, shops are one of the highlights. The products found at the Maltings are all of the highest quality, be they homeware, food, art or clothing. There is a strong emphasis on artisanal products of the kind that cant be produced in bulk and this adds to the bespoke nature of the shopping experience. Snapes merchandisers work with thousands of independent suppliers to make sure that the very best British and European craftsmanship is brought to the forefront and celebrated. Alesha stresses that the decision to use smaller, local suppliers breaks away from the generic and mass produced ethos of the high street, particularly regarding fashion. The brief with the clothing side is to find nice stylish clothes that are actually in a small collection, so it feels that you bought something and you really love it. Also, clothes have an endurance and not part of this thing where you buy it, wear it and then dispose of it. She says their aim was to find smaller producers
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who can match Snape Maltings needs as a smaller stockist. We cant compete with the high street on production or price points because we are smaller so the job of our buyers is harder and they do it really well. Indeed this symbiosis between smaller entrepreneurial businesses is what makes the artisanal focus in Britain so important now. The stock found at Snape Maltings shows these small businesses are the key to giving the country in general, and Suffolk in particular, a cultural foothold and making it a distinctive destination for wonderfully crafted goods. As well as shops, Snape has several independent galleries on site, and some carefully placed sculptures. This eclecticism marries the contemporary and the traditional, rendering the site different to other waterfront locations. The drama of the landscape lends itself to cultural pursuits, making it a perfect location to view intriguing and contemporary art and listen to renowned musicians. As the Maltings closes at the end of a days trading, Aldeburgh Music opens, so visitors can spend an entire day here. People can shop, eat, view art and go on boat trips throughout the day and then listen to some music in the evening. The site itself is also extremely important to wildlife, which lends another facet to the experience. With the changing face of Minsmere, Snape is the next heavily populated area for rare flora and fauna. It is in a sense, the gateway to the Suffolk coast, particularly for wildlife. So here, nature and art are drawn seamlessly together. In a natural progression of utilising what could have been a cluster of wasted buildings, the complex really does seem like part of the land itself. There is a strong ethos of restoration that resonates within the Maltings. There are two fulltime maintenance staff in charge of restoring the buildings and the future of Snape Maltings looks extremely exciting. Out of the seven acres on site, two thirds have been painstakingly restored. The next project will be to develop the final third. However the Gooderhams are adamant that Snape will not move beyond that space and will only do what is within its capacity. The idea is to work on the existing space to make it the best that it can be, continually improving to preserve the future of this cultural icon, a jewel on the Suffolk coast. Alesha describes their role as custodians of Snape. You hope that while its under your tenure your do a really good job. It represents the county well and people are proud to bring their friends here, she says. For more information on Snape Maltings visit www.snapemaltings.co.uk
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THIS PAGE: Tommy Hilfiger dress, 80 Ralph Lauren cardigan, 100. All from Caramel, 47 St Nicholas Street, Ipswich Tel: 01473 216 797 Star-print scarf: Stylists own OPPOSITE: Hartford Jacket, 92, Hartford red and blue scarf, 34. Abro blue pumps, 78. All from Fanny & Frank, 6 Market Hill, Woodbridge Tel: 01394 384723 www.fannyandfrank.com Round neck tank top, 36 at Collen & Clare,  25 Market Place, Southwold, Tel: 01502 724823  www.collenclare.com Fever Chauncey denim trouser, 69.99 at Bird, 4b Market Hill, Framlingham Tel: 01728 727481. Necklace, 25 from Caramel

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Into the BLUE

Add a subtle nautical touch to your summer wardrobe with fabulous fashions in shades of blue and cream, all available from our countys leading boutiques
Fashion direction: Shekha Vyas Photography: Clifford Hicks Model: Maaike Mae Schoute @ Sandra Reynolds Hair: Craig Brunning @ Baiss and Co using Tigi Catwalk Session Series Make-up: Gemma Smith

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Tommy Hilfiger blue silk blouse, 70, Tommy Hilfiger skirt, 70, both at Caramel. Mirabelle fish necklace, 15 at Bird and Ursula Mascaro red platform shoes, 159 at Fanny & Frank. All stockist details as page 118

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Ganni navy Fulton dress, 139, at Bird. Anchor necklace, 30, from a selection at Caramel. Moschino turquoise heels, 150, at Caramel. Stockist details as page 118

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Guess by Marciano jacket, 300, at Caramel. Details as page 118 Olsen Trousers, 95, at O&C Butcher, 129-131 High Street, Aldeburgh. Tel: 01728 452229 www.ocbutcher.co.uk

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Ganni playsuit 115, Fever belt 19.99. Both from Bird. Riva Barbet leopard shoe, 65.95 from O&C Butcher. Stockist details as page 118
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