A new independent wine shop has shared an uplifting update since opening its doors in Blackheath.
Theatre of Wine, an established wine merchant with roots in Greenwich and north London, opened its third branch in Blackheath in April this year in the unit that formerly housed Blackbird Boutique.
The business is run by owner Tom Ilsley, whose family has been involved in the wine trade for decades. He says the team have received a warm welcome into the area
Theatre of Wine was founded by his father, but the exact dates of the company's founding and Tom's involvement should be confirmed before publication.
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Owner Tom Ilsley said the move came after an opportunity arose to take over the premises, adding that many of the company's existing Greenwich customers already lived in Blackheath.
He said: "It was just a great opportunity. A lot of our customers in Greenwich are based in Blackheath, so the new location made a lot of sense."
The shop offers a more "laid back" approach to wine, with bottles grouped by characteristics such as richness, freshness and flavour profile rather than by country or region.
Alongside retail sales, customers can attend regular tastings and events designed to make wine more accessible and enjoyable, with sessions focusing on a range of themes and producers.
On Saturdays, the shop also offers customers the chance to sample wines before purchasing them, an approach Tom says helps remove the "snobbery" often associated with wine shopping.
"What's the point of having wine, unless you can open it?" he explained.
Staff said interest in the business began even before the shop opened, with residents stopping to ask about the new arrival while preparations were under way.
Katherine and Jack, who work at the branch, said staff spent around two weeks decorating and preparing the premises before launch.
Speaking about the response so far, they said: "It's been a really good reception since we opened.
"We've also had a really lovely response from new customers and the local businesses."
The business has sought to establish itself as part of the village community through collaborations with neighbouring independent retailers and organisations, including Hortus and The Bookshop on the Heath.
Tom also praised Blackheath's independent retail sector, describing the area as a destination for food and drink enthusiasts.
He said: "You've got a lot of really great independent businesses here already. There's great energy, and there's a really good community of people.
"Blackheath is a bit of a hub for people, especially foodies."
Tom said the company aims to make wine accessible and approachable for customers, regardless of their level of knowledge.
He said: "A wine shop can be quite intimidating. There's no snobbery. We just want our customers to come in, have a look, have a chat and find something they like."
He added: "There's a misconception that shopping in wine shops has to be expensive, but it doesn't.
"We have wines starting from £11, so really we are about people coming in and exploring the world of wine and what it has to offer."
Have you recent opened or are planning to open a new business in South east London? Get in touch at Emily.davison@newsquest.co.uk.
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