Martin – Sailors of Rye

Rye is renowned for its small independent shops, and Sailors is no exception! We had a wonderful chat with Martin about what it’s like to own a shop in Rye.

Could you share the story behind Sailors and what inspired you to open this space in Rye? 

When we moved to Rye ( 9 years ago ) We always wanted a shop but we were busy renovating the new house. After living in the town for awhile we felt we had a good idea of the type of shop the town would benefit from. We decided to open Sailors, selling unisex clothing and homeware in 2020. It was nice to something good happening after being in lockdown for months.

In your view, what makes Rye such a welcoming destination for businesses like ours? 

The town is always busy and there is always something exciting happening. Whether is be our famous Jazz Festival or our month long Arts Festival, the town is flourishing all year round.

What do you think makes Rye so unique for Christmas shopping and winter visits? 

Its our independent shops and business and the fact we are so welcoming. Plus the town is extremely photogenic, cute streets and chocolate box houses everywhere.

How do you feel Sailors adds to the shopping experience here in Rye, especially during the festive season? 

We open everyday day with of the week, whatever the month and we always have a shop full of gift starting from £4.

Could you tell us about any special items or unique finds at Sailors that would make perfect holiday gifts? 

We always have gorgeous British and Irish knitwear, scarves, gloves, beanies and of course socks. You can’t go wrong with socks for Christmas.

How has your partnership with Tillingham added to the Sailors experience and what impact has this had on the community? 

We love Tillingham, it has been a huge help to the local businesses, drawing in visitors. We are so proud and lucky to have Tillingham on our doorstep. Working with Tillingham is an utter joy. Our joint events are always free to all and this really helps bring the community together.

What draws you to collaborate with Tillingham, and why do you think it resonates with our community? 

Tillingham is a place we love, we all look forward to visiting. Working on events at Tillingham is something we love doing and look forward to more in the future.

What role does the Rye community play in shaping Sailors, and why is supporting local businesses here so meaningful to you? 

We get a lot of visitors to our town but the locals love our businesses too. We have so many locals popping in to do something shopping or even just the say hello. It is so important we keep this going and I am confident the locals know this and that is why they continue to support us and the other businesses.

What future plans or visions do you have for Sailors that excite you?

We have lots planned for 2025 most of which is top secret and of course more events with authors are already in the planning.

Link to Sailors Of Rye website