Okells Opens In Hoole

As the headline says, Okells opens in Hoole. In fact it actually opened a few weeks ago but I thought I’d let the dust settle a bit and pop in a few times before committing pen to paper, so to speak. To those that haven’t popped in yet, or don’t know where it is, you can find Okells in Walker Street. On the site of the old Co-Op to be precise. An ideal location really. A car park alongside the premises and a short walk to all of the other excellent amenities that Hoole has to offer adds to the tick boxes. A note though about the car park. It is not an Okell’s private car park, but a council pay and display. The right hand side is open to blue badge holders and the same side is free for all to use on Sundays.

So, what about Okells? What do they do and and what are my initial thoughts? Read on to find out.

Okells Opens In Hoole

The recent opening in Hoole is the second Okells in Chester. Before this second opening, this is how the owners of Okells describe themselves.

“Okells is an independent, family run garden centre based outside Chester. Established in 1982 and evolving over the last 40 years, today Okells brings together a beautiful selection of indoor and outdoor plants, curated homewares & gifts from independent suppliers and a coffee shop designed to bring people together. As a family-run business, independent through and through, our goal is to create somewhere special for our customers and community.”

The photo above was one I took on something like the second or third day Okells had been open in Hoole. So, just to explain, since then there has been some quite significant additions to the outside area. Some excellent plants and shrubs for both indoors and outdoors. Or so I am reliably informed. I’m no gardening expert at all, but recently we took my sister and brother-in-law there. Compared to my scant gardening knowledge, they are the experts. Plenty of “oohing” and “aahing” going on along with comments like “that’s lovely” and “that’s a good price” were among other complimentary offerings.

It is my understanding that the outside area is going to display even more gardening goodies as time goes by. The build up to Christmas will be interesting no doubt. Also outside, you can find some table areas for you to enjoy a quick cuppa and a nibble if you so wish. Which brings me on to.

Okells Opens In Hoole – Other Products Offered

With your latest new plants sorted along with the required plant foods, time for a quick brew perhaps? If so, pop inside and you will find a really spacious cafe area offering a wide selection of hot and cold drinks and a variety of sweet and savoury snacks. Are more substantial meals going to be offered? I’m not sure but a good thing about my early visits to Okells has been the willingness of the staff to listen to suggestions and to take onboard any other feedback generally. **Update from Okells. More substantial meals are now available**

So, if more substantial meals are not yet an option, maybe they will be. It’s worth asking the question. One bit of feedback I offered on my first visit was the doorstep on one of the entrance doors on Walker Street. I sort of stumbled into the raised step but fortunately didn’t go proverbial over proverbial (family website so I can’t really say the alternative to derriere over….you know the rest!!).

Mind you, I would imagine this could be a bigger problem if not sorted before the longer, darker nights really kick in. I did mention it as I say and it was noted. At this stage even a “Mind The Step” message and have the step lit up will go a long way. I’m sure this little wobble will be attended to.

However, almost going proverbial over proverbial didn’t detract from my visit though. I enjoyed my cappuccino and having a look around the gift shop with a variety of gift ideas and even more plant suggestions.

Okells Opens In Hoole – My Humble Thoughts

All in all a welcome experience and a place I would visit on a regular basis. Okells offers a mix of products only to be found in their new store and some items that can be found elsewhere. Another retail outlet owner made a mention of the latter. And in particular, they mentioned greeting cards. In this respect there are a few outlets that sell greeting cards. Mind you, like plants, I’m no greeting card guru. And I’ve not reviewed all types of cards on offer in each of the outlets. It may be a case that each outlet have different types, styles and themes.

As an example, my brother-in-law bought a humourous birthday card that may not have been available in any of the other outlets. Or, he may not have liked any on offer in Okells and decided to go elsewhere for his card. And vice versa.

In short, is competition a bad thing? To further illustrate, some may like the chips from Sea Breeze, while others may prefer Hoole Fish Bar in Ermine Road. I must admit, generally speaking, I prefer the options and the variety. Oh by the way, and in terms of chips, I like the chips from both of those mentioned. In moderation of course.

Another thing to consider of course is that Okells will, I imagine, be bringing in customers from further afield than Hoole for their gardening products. And if this is the case, then while in Hoole what better opportunity to sample the many other excellent products and services on offer in our very attractive local community.

All good so far in my opinion. Long may it continue.

Chester Lifestyle Blog Posts

Thanks for visiting my Chester Lifestyle website and thanks for reading my latest blog post – Okells Opens In Hoole. A welcome addition to the other excellent outlets in Hoole I reckon. And one that will also add to the close knit local community spirit of our very popular Chester suburb that has so much to offer and a pleasure to live in.

To see all of my other blog posts on a variety of topics, then visit HERE.

And going off on a complete tangent and as this is Chester related website. Here’s another “help support a local small business” section. 

As This Is A Chester Related Website

As this is a Chester related website, you may be looking for the ideal Chester related gift for your loved ones. If so, then have a look at my Chester section of my new Etsy store. You can find out more about my Etsy store HERE.

Plenty of originally created downloadable digital artwork for you to have a look at HERE. And, as I say, a variety of Chester related products to choose from. Like this artwork image of Chester Bandstand in The Groves: