Gill Cure visits a local business that’s home to an equine ‘celebrity’ . . .
Everyone knows Rose Bank Saddlery as “the shop with the black horse”. Even if you have never stopped there, the crossroads at Headley Heath is known for its black horse.
He arrived there about 28 years ago when Joan Turner first incorporated a saddlery and horse feed business into the general store. Joan’s daughters, Julie and Jackie, both still serve in the shop, and their years of experience as horse owners and of working in equestrian retail prove invaluable.
Julie remembers an amusing story about the black horse. About 20 years ago he had accidentally been left outside the shop overnight. In the morning he had vanished, only later to be found outside the Black Horse pub in Wythall.
Some late-night revellers had found him and taken him for a drink at his namesake pub! So Joan and the girls had to go and collect him on the back of their truck. He is quite a local celebrity, having been hired out for weddings and social events.
I was keen to meet the horse and his latest owner, Cormac Kenny. Cormac bought the stores in 2004 and moved in along with his family – wife Karen and daughter Marie, to be joined in 2009 by baby Elsie, a most endearing addition.
Cormac had been a loyal Rover worker for 19 years until the factory’s demise. So the end of Rover was a new beginning for Cormac: “It was a time to change horsepower.” On taking over the business, he wanted strongly to maintain its welcoming, friendly atmosphere.
Having no previous equestrian experience, he was glad to hang on to Julie and Jackie, and to complete the family team he engaged the help of his parents Michael and Cathy who, being retired, are able to help in the shop and with deliveries.
“Personal attention and listening to customers’ requirements are a priority,” said Cormac, “so these are the qualities of the shop.”
The premises prove to be a real Tardis, with a small shop front opening into a spacious store offering popular, affordable clothing lines, warm waterproof jackets and boots, riding hats, all equine requirements, pet food and bedding, plus refreshments for the customers.
Rose Bank also offers a variety of best brank horse and farm stock feed, hay, straw and a free delivery service. The shop is licensed to sell horse wormers and pet front line treatment.
Cormac adds: “The feed prices are competitive and bulk discounts are available. We open seven days a week and only close for four days a year!”
So what does the future hold for Rose Bank in these challenging times? Cormac, always looking forward, has had plans passed to extend and expand extensively over the next couple of years. This will include much-improved car parking with a safe entry away from the road junction, and a feed loading bay.
The shop will always maintain the personal approach, and customers can look forward to the new expansion.