Wells next the Sea > Shopping
Bringing the outside in, Wells next the Sea
Bringing the outside in is situated on the busy Staithe Street which runs up from the Quay. We caught up with the owner Martin Billing to find our more about their Shop in Wells next the Sea.
What can visitors expect to find at Bringing the outside in?
As the name suggests, Bringing the outside in is inspired by the outdoors. In the front shop you’ll find shelves of houseplants big and small, and stacks of rustic pots alongside a capsule collection of mens clothing and a wide selection of homeware. Everything takes inspiration from the elements around us; whether it’s the glaze of a cappuccino mug echoing the tones of rock, grass and mud, or a scented Nordic candle to fill your home with notes of pinewood or spring gardens. In the back room the colours shift to a more coastal palette with tones of blue and a pop of nautical red.
What gave you the inspiration for the Store?
When we opened our first store in Holkham it had more of a gallery focus with my local coastal photography covering the walls. Over the years our offering has evolved to focus more on homeware and interiors. Having grown up on the North Norfolk Coast, my surroundings have always deeply influenced my creative path so it was inevitable that inspiration would come from my surroundings and experiences.
What makes Bringing the outside in unique?
We pride ourselves on curating a collection of products which you wouldn’t normally find elsewhere. We like to cherry pick items which all come together to build the aesthetic of the store and display these in a creative way.
What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve always loved the hunt for new products which I know our customers will appreciate and then building a visual story of our brand instore.
Where would you recommend for customers to grab a coffee nearby?
We have our own Coffee Shop next door; Ground by Bringing the outside in. As well as serving delicious locally roasted Black Cat Coffee they also have a tasty selection of cakes and sandwiches. We are fortunate enough to have a long run of benches outside the shop so as the sun shines they soon fill up with coffee lovers.
What is your favourite thing to do in North Norfolk on your day off?
Taking a nice walk into the winderness with the family and our springer spaniel Fern. I am big fan of the walk from Thornham Harbour out to the beach or Burnham Overy Harbour along the bank to Gun Hill. Both are sure to give you a glimpse of local wildlife too.
