Vikki Wilken wields the corkscrew at the newly reopened Bottle Of Hastings.

Bottle of Hastings: repackaged and rather a fine vintage

In the second of an occasional series on independent local businesses, HOT’s Chris Connelley takes a trip to a recently reopened wine shop in central Hastings.

Popular TV dramas are usually constructed around a central location where people muster and hang out, where information is shared and which seem to capture the spirit and character of that particular community.

Think the Woolpack in Emmerdale, the launderette in EastEnders and the Central Perk coffee shop in Friends.

I’ve got a feeling that the newly reimagined Bottle of Hastings may well fulfil this role for the bustling Queens Road neighbourhood.

 Originally run by the team behind The Royal, the highly regarded gastro pub in St Leonards, the business recently changed hands, and has now reopened with Vikki Wilken wielding the corkscrew.

Hastings born and bred, and a psychologist and coach by training, Vikki’s passion for wine is unbounded. She’s about to complete her wine course and, before taking on the shop, was running wine tours for the Ridgeview Wines Estate. She absolutely knows her stuff and positively oozes enthusiasm for her new venture.

Just a week in and she’s de-cluttered the interior, curated a compelling selection of wines and – genius move – popped a coffee machine behind the counter to extend the shop’s appeal during daylight hours. On Friday, temptation for the sweet-toothed amongst us is further enhanced – turbo-charged even – with a supply of small batch babka, arguably the best bakery product in town, and the perfect accompaniment for a midday macchiato.

Real buzz

On the day of my visit, on a Friday lunchtime, there’s a real buzz and a constant stream of visitors, friends and shoppers looking for something liquid for the weekend, to trade local gossip or simply take a break from the mundanities of the day.

Vikki welcomes us all, and is the perfect host, making introductions and establishing connections between her customers, whilst recommending products and tapping into our ideas for the future development of the business.

She’s already off to a flying start, with plans for wine tastings, cheese and charcuterie platters and, tapping into the pulse of a town that likes to read, a monthly book club. The initial selection is The Invisible Women’s Club, Helen Parris’s feel-good favourite, with a first session planned for 15 November, after a soft launch later this month.

She’ll also be welcoming guest experts to the store for special events, with author, taster and senior judge at the World Cheese Awards, Patrick McGuigan, lined up for a visit before Christmas.

It takes real courage to invest in a physical store at the best of times and is especially brave in a continuing cost of living crisis. So, next time you are looking to stock up on wine, have a Friday sugar rush or just fancy a friendly chat over a  coffee, give Bottle of Hastings a go. You won’t be disappointed.

Bottle of Hastings is at 92 Queens Road, Hastings, TN34. Opening hours are 12-8pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 12-10pm on Friday and Saturday, and 12-4pm on Sunday.

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