Fleet Street welcomes Mandy's Gift Shop - an addition to popular Guitar Man Torbay

Mandy’s Gift shop may be a new addition to the Bay but it includes a traditional offering that is part of Torquay’s heritage.

For alongside the gifts, there is a selection of collectable ceramics made by the 100-year-old Babbacombe Pottery.

Mandy’s Gift Shop is a new addition to the already successful Guitar Man Torbay.

Guitar Man Torbay opened in Torquay in November, 2019, just five months before the global Covid pandemic hit.

They had to close their doors for the most part of the first year as well as numerous months in the second year due to lockdowns.

This affected the business massively and they managed to scrape through with a bit of support from the government as well as the locals who were more than pleased to finally have a music shop back in the Bay.

Tony’s numerous years of expertise and good, old fashioned way of doing business were a large contributor to their doors staying open.

After three-and-a-half years at the top end of Union Street, they were in a position to move down to the bottom of Fleet Street, which is smack bang in the middle of the tourist footfall.

However, they saw a gap in the market for the ladies who have to wait so patiently for their partners while they drool over, and test, the musical instruments!

And so Mandy’s Gift Shop was born.

Mandy stocks a range of stylish handbags and wallets, rock T-shirts, oil/wax melt burners, candles and bits and bobs.

She is also the sole stockist of the well-known Babbacombe Pottery, a family-run business that has been around for 100 years.

The pottery is made and hand painted in Torquay and is highly collectable. Some of the moulds date back from 20 to 50 years, making it a rich part of Torquay heritage.

You will also find Mandy’s special brand of gorgeous handmade, beaded jewellery called Identity Beads.

Mandy said: “What makes these pieces special is that I pray for the wearer-to-be while I’m making them and from there, a special message is birthed.

“They come in a pretty gift bag with a hand-written special message.”

Mandy also makes necklaces to order, where the customer can choose their own colours, or a gift for a loved one.