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News
Recession bites Sussex wine stores
Difficult trading conditions have forced two independent stores in East Sussex to make drastic changes to their day-to-day business.
Christine Parkinson, wine buyer for London restaurant Hakkasan, has been forced to close her wine shop Cocovino in Brighton. Parkinson, who ran the shop with wine consultant Annette Scarfe, confirmed that tough economic times had resulted in the decision to continue trading purely as an e-business through its website www.cocovino.co.uk
Meanwhile, to the west of Brighton in Hove, independent store Quaff Fine Wine has diversified its wine shop’s services by opening an in-store café selling coffees and pastries. 

Quaff, founded and run by former Maison Marques et Domaines employee Toby Peirce, hopes to attract extra footfall with its new initiative, particularly in the mornings.
"We face due south and have space on the pavement outside that belongs to us where we can put a few tables and chairs. We’re already paying for the retail space and the lights to be on, so serving coffee and pastries adds another revenue stream," said Peirce.
Frustratingly for Peirce, the local council has refused to grant him a licence to serve alcohol on the premises. "We only wanted to serve a few glasses of wine with some lunch, but the neighbours complained to the council, saying we would become a wine bar," he added.
Jane Parkinson, 27.07.09