Love Your Neighbourhood: Coleham, Shrewsbury

Shropshire Star

Coleham is in Shrewsbury but although right near to the centre is has it's own little village vibe. We went along to find out more.

Transcript

00:00Can you introduce yourself please?

00:05Sam owns Hez Coffee and the allotment in Kola.

00:08Perfect. How long have you been here in Kola?

00:10Our coffee shop's been eight years and the allotment's been here seven years.

00:14Perfect. Why did you want to open in Kola?

00:17I kind of chose Kola. It feels like a real nice community around her, full of character.

00:23It's slightly tucked away from all the hustle and bustle of the town.

00:26It gave us a chance to build something local, personal and rooted in a neighbourhood that supports local people and local businesses.

00:35Perfect. What do you love about Kola?

00:37People. Everyone's just so lovely and supportive and there's real warmth and friendliness to everyone.

00:46And just the uniqueness of the area. Even though it's so close to town it feels like we're a million miles away so it's really nice.

00:55Perfect. Why should more people come out to Kola?

01:00I feel like we're a hidden gem down here. I feel like there's so many small businesses that support each other and support the local community.

01:08That you would come down here and feel like you're, like I said before, miles away from elsewhere.

01:15Just lots of friendly people, lots of community feel. Yeah, it's really great.

01:20My name's Jordan. This is the Faden Barbershop based in Kola.

01:24Brilliant. How long have you been here in Kola?

01:27I think the shop's been here for about eight years now.

01:30Yeah. Just over eight years maybe.

01:32Yeah. Did you open it yourself?

01:34No, it's not me. Steve's not here today. He's the one that runs the shop but yeah, he opened it.

01:39Yeah, eight years ago just by himself and his missus but it's grown pretty big now.

01:44Got a good client basis which is good.

01:46Perfect. What do you like about Kola the most?

01:49It's just a nice community really. Lots of independent shops, lots of hustle and bustle.

01:55It's all, like, before I started working here I didn't realise how busy it was here really.

02:00The amount of people there are around here.

02:02A lot of people walking through the bridge into town and coming over here. It's good.

02:05Yeah. Perfect. Why should more people come out to Kola?

02:10Again, it's just lots of independent shops. You've got a pub, you've got a coffee shop,

02:14you've got everything you need really. Barbers, you've got a few kitchens across the road,

02:17Boris, you've got all sorts going on. Yeah, definitely get down and have a look.

02:23Yeah, my name's Thomas Aubrey.

02:25Perfect, thank you. Support worker.

02:27Perfect, thank you. What do you like about Kola? Why are you here today?

02:31I have a cafe and it's a relaxed part of Shrewsbury.

02:35My name's Lucette, Lucette Richards. I originally come from France, from Brittany,

02:43but I've been living in Shrewsbury now for about 15 years, I guess, having moved from Staffordshire.

02:49Brilliant, perfect. How well would you say you know Kola?

02:52Fairly well, I think. We love all of the independent shops.

02:59The allotment is wonderful for vegetables and other bits and pieces that you don't pick up in town.

03:05And of course we've got a new butcher now as well, who seems to be doing very well too.

03:10And the spa is wonderful because if you need something at eight o'clock, nine o'clock in the evening, it's open.

03:17And that's really nice. Very good. Yeah.

03:20Perfect. Why should more people come out and visit Kola?

03:23Well, I think they should. I mean, people do sort of come through on their way.

03:30And you probably heard that they were threatening of closing this bridge for two months. No way.

03:37But we've got really nice, again, as I said, independent shops, lovely cafes and, you know, the flower shop is now really lovely as well.

03:47Which was just around the corner, but it was a small place and now it can really display what they've got.

03:53And I think people are quite surprised when they come over the bridge from the park, very often by mistake.

04:00Because they don't know quite where they're going. I think they might be going into town.

04:05And then they discover this. And yeah, it's wonderful. Really good.

04:10What about the people?

04:12People are very friendly. Always very friendly. You know, they're not afraid of losing a few minutes talking to you.

04:21Which, when you go to the supermarket at the till, it's, you know, go, go, go.

04:26But here, yeah, you can always talk to people, which is really nice.

04:30Brilliant. Perfect.

04:31That's lovely.

04:32Anything else you'd like to mention about Colum?

04:34On a beautiful day like this, it's wonderful. So do come and visit. Come and see us. Thank you.

04:40Perfect. Thank you very much.

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