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#IndependentRetailersWeek - we share our favourite Rayleigh-based independent businesses!

Jul 22, 2021

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It’s #IndependentRetailersWeek this week and given recent events, we think it has never been more important to get behind business in the local area.

We have picked just some of the best local businesses in Rayleigh and below you’ll find out more about them. From salons to gyms to pubs, you can tick off most of your needs without shopping outside the area and here are some places worth considering.

Don’t just take it from us, here we also share some of their lovely customer reviews!

Hudson Barbers

This one was our Managing Director, Ant’s, personal recommendation and based on Rayleigh High St, it couldn’t be more conveniently placed!

Their customers said:

“Always give a great haircut with a friendly, positive atmosphere!"

Squires Coffee Shop

With this little hotspot, you also get history as this is Rayleigh’s oldest tea and coffee shop! The menu is impressive with a huge variety of teas and coffees and this is before you even get to a long list of delicious food available to order. Absolutely worth checking out if you’re new to the area.

Their customers said:

“Great food and staff lovely place to visit it's our regular haunt"”

Bogaz Turkish Restaurant

On a Friday night at the end of each month, this is where you may just find the Lawrence Antony Homes team hanging out – it is a personal fav. If you love Turkish Cuisine as we do, then this is THE PLACE. If you haven’t tried Turkish food before, then THIS IS THE PLACE.

Their customers said:

“Very good service and a good selection of food on the menu"

Lovely Libby’s

Lovely Libby’s is such a unique find and you’re almost always going to walk out with something lovely for your home. Their cakes are also amazing.

Their customers said:

“Love love love this shop! Staff always helpful and there are so many different things to look at and buy! Everything is reasonably priced. The tea shop upstairs is lovely too and there are clothes and bags you can buy. Definite 5 stars”

Wheatly Farm Garden Centre

Wheatly Farm is a family run garden nursery. As well as stocking more traditional plants, shrubs and trees they also specialise in more unusual plants such as palms, bonsai and cacti. With over 2 acres of plants, they have one of the best selection of plants in the Essex area!

Their customers said:

“Lovely, beautiful lay hens and chickens, and very nice bushes for the garden, variety of plants. And dog food and local honey as well!”

Salon Messina Hair

Located in the heart of Rayleigh, what makes this salon so special is that they are completely sustainable! All of their products are Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. Their product range nurtures and cares for their clients as well as our earth.

Their customers said:

"Lots of lovely lattés in a lovely comfy and chilled environment."

The Red Door Bar

The Red Door Bar is a unique and quirky bistro bar. The bar has a buzzing atmosphere that attracts all age groups making it the perfect place for all occasions. And best of all… they are dog-friendly!

Their customers said:

“Lovely food, great atmosphere and run by a brilliant manager in Samantha Davis."

Stackhouse Gym

This is a great gym and with memberships starting at just £35 per month, with student and over 60s discounts, this is a great place to work on your physical health.

Their customers said:

“The best gym in Essex - great equipment, very clean and tidy. The staff & owners make you feel so welcome (like family) I would highly recommend this gym to anyone even those that don’t have the confidence or are beginners in the gym. These guys/girls will make you feel at home!”

Blume Lifestyle

Imagine an amazing florist, lovely homeware and gorgeous fashion items all in one place. Could this place really exist? The answer is YES. It exists in the form of Blume Lifestyle on Rayleigh High Street and the owner is always so friendly. This is our very own Andrea’s recommendation!

Their customers said:

“Blume has done many weddings and open events at our venue and each and every time, the flowers are spectacular. So many different styles and looks.”

Café No.11

Another lovely coffee house is Café No.11, using local produce and serving their all-day menu 7 days a week, this is the perfect spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or even just for one of their amazing coffees.

Their customers said:

“Food is so good here. Everything is always lovely and fresh. The staff are always lovely and super helpful. Today I visited for the first time with my baby. They helped accommodate my large pushchair and also advocated breastfeeding. The staff made me feel so comfortable with a complimentary tea while I fed, after my meal. Will 1000% be returning just based on this as it made such a difference to my experience.”

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Take a brief rest from the market In our experience, a home tends to generate the greatest interest from buyers in the first two to three weeks that it’s on the market. When your home appears as a new listing, buyers who are registered with online portals should receive a link to the details, and your agent should be sending out the brochure to their own database of potential buyers. But after that initial flurry of activity, things often settle down on the viewing front, and we find that the longer your home is on the market, the less likely it is to attract the perfect buyer. As those who have been looking for a new home for a while keep seeing your listing, the fact that it hasn’t sold yet may make it less desirable to them, and you’re more reliant on new buyers who are just starting their search. So, if you’ve been advertising for several months, it could be a good idea to take a break just for a few weeks, in order to reignite interest. 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Is the description concise, while still selling the best features of your home in a flattering way? Is there a good-quality image of the floorplan, and brochure download button available? The price If a home is marketed at too optimistic a price, it tends to sit on the market for longer. So you must make sure your home is advertised at a price that both reflects its true value and attracts buyers. Is your asking price a round figure, e.g. £950,000, not £949,999? Does your home appear at the top of a search in your price range? Do you know how your price per square foot compares to that of other similar homes in the area? Have you stuck to your asking price, even if your agent thinks you should drop it? Preparing your home for viewings You must do all you can to make buyers fall in love with your home – from the moment they first see it on the market to the end of their viewing. Do you style and tidy the outside – both the garden and your home itself? Do you have fresh flowers inside? 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The first port of call is to speak to your agent, show them our Saleability Scorecard and find out whether they agree with your ratings. It may be that they have their own ideas about the kinds of changes that could be made and are keen to work with you to turn things around. However, if you don’t get the response you were hoping for, give us a call – we can review your marketing ourselves and give you our expert opinion on what needs to be done to secure a successful sale. Then, once we’ve visited your home to appraise it fully, we’ll come up with a bespoke marketing strategy that focuses on promoting all the best features of your home and relaunching it onto the market in style! If you’d like to discuss your current situation and find out how we can help you and your home get the sale you deserve, just give us a call on 01268 778333 or email info@lawrenceantonyhomes.co.uk and we’ll get right back to you.