Hi I’m Mel and I have just taken over as Retail Manager from Louise Bessant who has recently retired after 30 years. Louise played a huge role here and will be missed by us all. A tough act to follow…..I’ll try my best. I do feel very privileged to be given this opportunity but I draw the line at wearing this!
Louise set very high standards not only with the shop display, but also with customer service. This is high on my list of priorities too. Whether you are coming here to meet friends in the coffee shop, have a look round the museum, visit the reference library, ask for directions or browse in the shop, you will always be greeted with a smile and a hello.
I am lucky to have lived in the area all my life, yet still the forest amazes me with its many wonderful species of plant and animal life. Our visitors too, with different interests, and reasons for visiting make our days in the shop full of variety and my job of buying extremely interesting. The fact that I love shopping is definitely an advantage!
I recently visited the Spring Trade Fair in Birmingham. It was a long, tiring day, but very worthwhile, meeting suppliers old and new. I returned with a bag heavy with catalogues and head bursting with fresh ideas. Since then I have been busy buying and over the coming weeks, new stock will be appearing on our shelves. Some has arrived already. It’s so exciting!
Not forgetting the addition of our very own The New Forest A Souvenir Guide. Available in our shop and via this website.
We post regularly on social media, so do follow us there for all our news.
Every purchase made in our Gift shop supports the work of the New Forest Heritage Trust, so I hope you like what you find here, and please spread the word to your friends and family.
I am now looking forward to a busy spring and summer season. Hope to see you soon.
