Red, white and blue accessories for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee parties sold like hot cakes in cookshops in the run-up to and during last week’s long bank holiday weekend (June 2-5). While some cookshops closed their doors to enjoy the bank holiday break, others stayed open to be part of festivities.
“The village was vibrant, with lots of people about, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday,” reports Nicola Wilcox, who took over the ownership of Brambles Cookshop, Audlem in April. “We had complimentary Pimms and Lemonade for customers over the long weekend, with seats set out outside the shop and Proms music playing. We also held a baking competition, where customers have been sharing photos of their Jubilee creations.” Brambles sold out of Emma Bridgewater Mugs for the Jubilee and the Victoria Eggs Platinum Jubilee range of mugs, tea towels and biscuits.
In the Pantiles shopping area of Tunbridge Wells, Trevor Mottram also stayed open amid “a very jolly atmosphere, with lots of people out and about on the bank holidays,” reflects Trevor Mottram’s Vanessa Ward. Besides selling large quantities of flags and napkins in the run-up to the weekend, the cookshop also made a few last-minute sales of trifle bowls as many consumers recreated the official Platinum Jubilee pudding (Lemon Swiss Roll and Ameretti Trifle).
Frankie & Johnny’s Cookshop in York “couldn’t keep up with demand” for Jubilee bunting, flags (both handheld and large), balloons, bun cases, napkins, doilies, and dinner candles, “and even had to keep taking things of the window,” says co-owner Jo Asquith. Recognising that home baking was integral to many Jubilee celebrations, Jo adds:” We also sold lots of icing – especially red, white and blue – and baking tins, decorations, cake boards and boxes.”
The cookshop (situated in York’s Bishopthorpe Road) played an important role in celebrations organised by the local traders’ association. Jo enthuses: “We had a fabulous Jubilee on ‘Bishy’ Road. It was our first street party for a few years due to Covid and it was so good to be back, to have the road closed and for people to be able to enjoy meeting friends and family.”
She elaborates:” The cafes and restaurants served food outside and there were long tables down the street which Frankie & Johnny’s decorated with red, white and blue tablecloths.” Jo adds: “We also donated crayons for the children to draw with.”
In the run-up to the bank holiday, Jubilee aprons were popular at The Kitchen Shop in Lichfield, as consumers prepared for baking and barbecues. At The Kitchen Range Cookshop in Market Harborough, Jubilee napkins and cake decorations sold out and there were also strong sales of balloons, paper plates and other party wares.
Top: Brambles Cookshop welcomed all ages, with colouring activities for children and free nibbles and cups of Pimms and Lemonade for grown-ups.
