Creating a fashion and interiors boutique in the heart of Winchester has gave Victoria the opportunity to combine family life with a thriving career

It would be hard to find a more awe-inspiring location for a town-centre shop than the one occupied by The Hambledon. Set in a fine Georgian building near the beautiful and imposing medieval Winchester cathedral, Victoria Suffield's shop is a far cry from standard high-street offerings. The key to Victoria's success is not just down to the wonderful setting, but her canny eye for buying. “When I'm sourcing products I will buy things that I love, because that's what gives the shop its identity. I have to be consistent and true to myself and I couldn't run the shop any other way.”

Victoria originally worked with her mother Wendy, who owns The Hambledon Gallery in Dorset and worked with Victoria during the first year of this shop's life. “We could tell that there was a need for this kind of shop in Winchester and when the place came on the market I jumped at it. Although it is rather too large and the rent is astronomical, it is perfect. I was very keen to have somewhere that didn't feel like a regular shop.” With space for each product to be beautifully displayed, and distinct areas for fashion, children's wear and bathroom luxuries, the shop fulfils Victoria's maxim that it should “feel like a home”.

Although she works every Saturday in the shop, Victoria is keen to spend lots of time with her family: husband Phil Webb, their sons Hal, nine, Theo, seven, and four-year-old daughter Mercy. “On Sunday we do usual family things such as bike rides, and I never work on Mondays or Tuesdays.” On Sunday mornings she is often found at local car-boot sales, where she sells as often as she buys. “I can't bear clutter so every so often I clear out the children's rubbish and sell it, which is fantastic.”

Home is a handy ten minutes' walk from the shop. The family has lived there for three years, having moved from Dorset when Victoria could no longer face the hour-and-a-half commute into Winchester each day. “One night when Mercy was still tiny I was hurrying home to feed her and our ancient car broke down, leaving me stranded by the side of the road. That was the final straw and we put our Dorset house on the market the next day.”

The decor of their new home has been kept simple, with Victoria's favourite shades of white and grey used throughout. “My children are incredulous every time they ask me what my favourite colours are, as I always say white and grey – they think I am terribly lame. But I am a very cheap decorator: give me a pot of white emulsion and some floor paint and I'm perfectly happy.”

Victoria feels settled in Winchester. “Everything is local, we can walk everywhere and my customers can pop in and catch up with me. Everyone knows everyone else and that's a wonderful feeling.” It's this sense of belonging and her focus on the daily running of the shop that's preventing Victoria opening up another branch – for the moment. “I love knowing everyone who comes in and this may prevent me from looking at the bigger picture, but I'm not a business person – I am a shopkeeper.”

The Hambledon, 10 The Square, Winchester SO23 9ES, (01962) 890055; www.thehambledon.com.

FEATURE JENNY HASTIE
PHOTOGRAPHS SIMON BROWN
JANUARY 2005