New Country Christmas shop to open on Rougham Estate, near Bury St Edmunds, in October 2024
After winning an award for its new garden shop, the team at the Rougham Estate near Bury St Edmunds is already preparing to wow customers this Christmas.
As well as undertaking the mammoth task of preparing the hugely popular festive shop, those working on the estate are eagerly anticipating the opening of its sunflower field later this summer.
It has been a busy year for George Agnew, the owner of Rougham Estate and Blackthorpe Barn, and his partner Ady White, with the Roots Café opening in October, followed by the Garden Room shop in January.
The Garden Room was voted the best Suffolk lifestyle store in the recent Muddy Stiletto Awards, just three months after opening.
Ady manages the Garden Room which will transform into the newly named, Christmas Country shop in October.
Speaking about the award, Ady said: “The public started the ball rolling by nominating us, it is thanks to the people that have visited us and their support.
“We were elated to win, I still get a shiver down the back of my spine thinking about it, I have put my heart and soul into the shop.”
With the help of visual merchandiser Suzy Wright, the Christmas shop is already starting to take shape hidden away from the gaze of shoppers.
Ady started planning this year’s shop in January, sketching out ideas and placing orders.
Suzy, who started painting a new winter wonderland area of the store at the start of the year, said: “It really is a 365-day-a-year job.”
The garden and Christmas shop are all about the in-store customer experience as neither have an online store and the pair are keen that the products sold are sustainable, eco-friendly and locally sourced.
Suzy said she wants the Christmas shop to be about making memories for families, buying baubles that they will put on their Christmas tree year after year.
As well as the winter wonderland, Suzy hopes to impress customers with a gingerbread house area - while Ady has been creating an amazing natural Christmas display using two hollowed out trees from the estate.
A popular Christmas tree picking experience will also return at the estate this winter and a marquee will open for shoppers selling festive drinks and snacks.
Christmas-lovers will also be able to get stuck into some festive craft workshops and browse the arts and craft fairs which are set to run each weekend from November 16.
George said: “I’m eagerly anticipating opening our doors again this year. It’s another enchanting setting, perfect for visitors to immerse themselves in the festive spirit, find unique gifts for their loved ones, and soak up the magical atmosphere that truly signals the start of Christmas.”
Though visitors have to wait until October 21, to see the Christmas shop there is plenty more to do in the meantime.
The opening date of the popular sunflower field and pumpkin patch will be announced on the estate’s social media channels and website in the coming weeks and months.
