Two minute read
It’s a year since Poppy’s opened its first high street branch — and we’re so glad we chose to settle on Upper Richmond Road West in East Sheen.
Here are seven things we’ve discovered over the last year — some surprising, some we’d always suspected but all things that make Sheen extra special.
People stay in Sheen. They move here, bring up their kids, who then grow up and return with grandchildren. Hard work by local organisations like Age UK Richmond upon Thames and FiSH Neighbourhood Care help make this a good place to grow older.
There’s definitely something about this area that makes people want to stay – not the case in many other parts of London – which both creates and explains the community spirit.
Apparently, Brighton holds the UK record for the most coffee shops per head of population. But we reckon East Sheen could give it a run for its money. We’ve counted at least 13!
It’s hardly surprising then that our regular death café sessions have caught on. At a death café, people can enjoy a cuppa, a cake and a chat about death, all without an agenda.
As well as coffee shops, Sheen is blessed with plenty of active, beautiful and welcoming churches. Over the last year, we’ve enjoyed getting to know the local vicars, as well as meeting local independent celebrants, and hosting events for both groups here at Poppy’s.
East Sheen is a place where small businesses, like Poppy’s, can connect and thrive. The range of independent businesses here is impressive, including independent clothes shops, fine artisan ceramics, a delicious local deli and a family-run television shop.
The fact we’ve found our feet and felt at home so quickly in East Sheen owes a great deal to the warm welcome we’ve received from other local business-people.
Almost half of all the funerals we’ve arranged at Poppy’s Sheen in the last year have been just down the road at Mortlake Crematorium.
Mortlake Crematorium has strong community links, offering a regular grief café, remembrance services at difficult times of year, and a special ‘Waterbugs and Dragonflies’ memorial garden for babies and children. They’ve even just started a singalong choir that’s open to all!
We’re lucky to have the huge green space of Richmond Park as our backyard (well, almost) and we know it’s cherished by the local community.
No matter what time of year, on almost every day of the week, it’s well-used by different community groups who are out and about on wellbeing walks.
… and warmth and energy. We always knew that a funeral directors painted in bright colours would stand out on the high street. But that’s okay by us. We want to start conversations and get noticed, so that more people feel they can pop in, have a chat and discover how we can support them.
Haven’t dropped in to see us in East Sheen yet? You’re always welcome. We’re open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Or you can call or email us if you prefer. Find our contact details in Sheen here.
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