Page 24 - Oundle Life September 2021

QA
In 1901 Phil Amps’ great grandfather, John, opened Amps at 6 Market Place, leaving his brother Billy to run their existing shop in Thorney. John bought the existing grocery, wines and spirits merchant shop and business for £500! Then Phil’s grandfather Percy
Amps took over the helm, followed by his son Michael, and finally Phil is the fourth generation taking care of the business.
Tell us more... In 1993 we opened the current wine shop in the Market Place as our current wine offering had outgrown the grocery business and they needed to be separated. Later that year we closed the grocery store on the opening of two new purpose-built major brand supermarkets and so now we concentrated solely on wine. We are very proud to have been awarded over the years, twice Independent Wine Merchant of the Year and numerous other National Awards. So hopefully we are doing something right!
What is the best thing about your job?
Collecting and drinking wine is my hobby and so I get to do my hobby every day of the week. Plus every year brings a new harvest and so flavours change all the time.
Favourite product on sale today? The latest great wine I have just tasted!
How have you seen the High Street change?
The biggest change was when the bypass was built. Whilst it made the town a safer place,
the drop in footfall was really marked. People used to stop on their way through town and pick up what they needed. Now, they only
come into Oundle if they are coming for a reason. When I was young the town was full
of independent shops, selling everything. The arrival of supermarkets throughout the country has meant we now have less independent shops. Let’s hope Oundle can get those artisan food shops back to compliment the butchers etc we already have.
AMPS
Celebrating 120 years of trading in Oundle
24
AND