Name: Jane Ridehalgh
Business Name:  The Gift and Card Co.
How long have you been running the business? About three and half years ago I set the business up online (www.thegiftandcardco.co.uk), and the School Hill shop has now been open for a couple of years.
What was on the premises before? It was a small antique shop.
What do you sell? Our main lines are cards, wrapping, wedding and christening gifts, but we also specialise in venue decoration for events like weddings, christenings and an ever-increasing number of corporate events.
What are your best selling items? That’s our wide range of helium balloons, and gifts for babies and christenings.
And the most unusual? Probably the balloon within balloon we sell as part of the range - it always seems to fascinate people.
Who uses your shop? Most of our customers are women - from three years old upwards. At this time of the year we also get a welcome increase in tourist trade, as more people visit the town. Our best customers are definitely new mums.
Is there anything that irritates you about your business? It has to be the parking scheme I’m afraid. It’s definitely had a negative effect, because people always have one eye on the clock now, so don’t seem to have time to have a relaxed browse like before.
What is your favourite shop in Lewes?  I tend to go to Steamer Trading, just down School Hill, where you can always find something you didn’t realise you needed.
Recommend somewhere to eat out in Lewes? Lazzatis is very good, and Winnie, my neighbour, is a big fan of The Panda Garden. If you fancy lunch at a pub, I’d suggest The Cock Inn, just outside Lewes.