Letter: Personal Service In Shops ‘Far Better Than Clicking Buttons On The Internet’

Published on: 31 Aug, 2022
Updated on: 1 Sep, 2022

From: Melanie Cambridge

Professional artist and chair of the Guildford Art Society

I heard on the grapevine that Biddles of Guildford had started to stock art materials. There are now so few places to purchase materials without resorting to buying online.

Biddles in Ward Street is providing a “personal service”.

When I first visited them last month and spoke to new owner David Goddard, it was refreshing to find someone enthusiastic about the business and keen to work alongside local artists and art groups.

On that first visit, not only did he offer a 10 per cent discount to members of Guildford Art Society, but also agreed to stock my own range of artists’ brushes in his shop, offering to buy a small selection to “see how they go”. I have been trying to get this degree of support for several years now, so I was delighted to hear such positivity for a change.

In the world right now, we all need to support each other, especially all the smaller traders out there. I will certainly be championing Biddles and recommending them to all my art students. His personal service is far better than simply clicking buttons on the internet don’t you think?