Name: Nancy Makin
Business Name: Barefoot Herbs
What do you do? We are a herbal dispensary and an eco store. Personally, I’m a community herbalist who offers free over the counter consultations.
How long have you been running the business? Two years in Lewes, four years in total.
Where is the business based, and what was on the premises before? It’s based at 5, Mount Pleasant (between the Elephant & Castle pub and Ron’s). We took over the shop from Stephen Hill who used it as a Spanish Guitar shop.
What’s the most expensive thing you sell? A raw hemp milk-maker for £60. (It squashes nuts to produce a milky juice).
And the cheapest? We sell loads of low priced goods, including cinnamon sticks at 30p, and of course the herbal advice is free.
And the most unusual? Possibly the smudge sticks? They are made of white sage, and you burn them to aid 'space clearing' in a new home. It’s a North America Indian thing.
What sort of people use your shop? All sorts. From local people who want a loaf of bread and a pint of milk, to customers who visit regularly from Brighton and the surrounding district. We also have an expanding mail order business.
Is their anything that annoys you about running a shop? Not really, I love being in the shop. I suppose the lack of parking is a frustration, particularly as the wardens don’t seem to operate with any tolerance.
What is your favourite shop in Lewes? Punzi on Station Street, and the volunteer charity shop near Laportes on Lansdown Place.