Tracy Harding's stunning new 'Hicks' Lifestyle Shop

Stylish, Sophisticated, Sexy and Such FUN!

Naturally I'm biased, but I'm getting a real buzz out of watching Lymington blossom, both in culinary terms and also the almost daily raising of the bar in the retail sector. To that end, the recent launch of Hick's 'lifestyle shop' by the fabulous Tracy Harding is no exception and I popped in the other day to recce the place for LDC.

The shop is situated in Angel's Courtyard which is currently undergoing a major transformation and despite the hoarding and building works in progress, stands out like a butterfly in a coalmine. We are running a separate article shortly on the whole of Angel Courtyard, but suffice to say that anyone who has walked past The Angel and not diverted down the passageway is missing out on some of Lymington's best shopping opportunities. It seems the building work will indeed carry on through Christmas, but please don't let that put you off because with Hicks joining Enigma, Kitchen Matters and the Butchers, there is some seriously good retail therapy to be had down Lymington's 'Diagon Alley'! I'd also venture to say that you should get to know the shops down there now, because when the whole site is finished, it will be a real oasis with  its cobbled courtyard, al fresco dining and top end retails outlets like Hicks. Make friends with the owners now and you'll earn your place at the top of their best customer lists and cement yourself some hot tips on new stock and the kind of service afforded to only their very best friends.

Tracy Harding is either really clever or barking mad, because what she's created here is the kind of store you'd commonly expect to find just off the Portobello Road in Notting Hill or in Covent Garden. It is self-defined as a 'lifestyle' store and you need to go there to really understand what that means; my take on it is that Tracy has chosen all the very best things that a fun-loving, vibrant woman would want for herself, her family and her friends and put them all together in one place. What do I know, but that's the part I really like about what she's done; because having resisted the temptation to design the shop around one particular theme, so that simpleton's like me can quickly put it in a box and say 'oh yeah! it's a gift shop' or whatever; what we end up with is a treasure trove of things in one lovely bright and welcoming environment. Each turn of the head leads to another surprise and I challenge you not to be taken by at least one item. For me, the 'kinky' boots shouted at me as I walked through the door and brought out the best and worst in me, and the kimonos which apparently go like hotcakes, also started my mind thinking about Christmas, bribery and brownie points. As a Dad, I was also taken by the kid's clothes which were the kind that you'd expect to see on the slopes sported by the offspring of wealthy French or Italian families as they whizz past you looking sickeningly cool.

The range of things on offer is too extensive to go through each one now, but I should mention the Ruby & Ed slippers, which resolve several presents on my list; the Cowshed Candles, Soaps and Beauty Products which are the new Jo Malone, and of course the Lisa Stickley Handbags & Bags, 100drine French Boxes and Polly George China.

I so hope you all pack the place out because mad or brilliant, I think Tracy is absolutely adorable, edible and amazing, and deserves to flourish and prosper. But, as I always say; 'don't take my word for it...'

JS

HICKS
ANGEL COURTYARD
LYMINGTON
01590 610042

www.hicksonline.co.uk