The original Emporium on East Street was formerly known as Pets Palace and around about 25 years ago Hayley began working there as an assistant. When the people she was working for decided to sell up she bought the business and began to change things.

The changes were minor at first – rearranging the shop and making it a more open space. She then diversified firstly by making wooly hats and then by letting other people use the space to sell their items. These days the shop is home to two other independent businesses as well as her own.

She still sells pet food and accessories but also vintage clothing, tomato plants at the beginning of the growing season and other beguiling items that make you want to ask questions. There was a short period of time when she had to separate her exotic cockroaches as they were breeding like rabbits and so the shop was home to them for a while. Where else on East Street have you ever watched a cockroach go through the stages of growth and not worried about it?

From the other traders there is a wide range of vintage goods on offer, a huge selection of refurnished daps (that’s Bristolian for casual footwear of the trainer type) and both modern and vintage jewellery.

Hayley is popular and outgoing as is proved by her wide circle of friends that she spends time away with and their adventures on weekends away are legendary. But then almost 30 women from South Bristol will always create an impact! There is always someone popping into the shop to see her – people who have known her for many years and those who have just got to know her.

The three things that describe Hayley the best are second hand clothes (she loves a bargain), Lottie her gorgeous Jack Russell dog who is featured at the top of this page and adorns the shops shutters, and eating out.

Hayley is pretty much the centre of East Street. If she doesn’t know what’s going on then she’ll soon find out!