Lovely Jubbly

The shop already scores at least 2 stars from the name alone. All I ever think of is Del Boy from Only Fools and Horses selling dodgy gear from a suitcase. Joking aside, the shop could almost be Del Boy’s secret lair and the items they sell wouldn’t look out of place in a certain yellow reliant robin.
It’s a great shop for anyone who likes to Snoop around and check out random trinkets and paraphernalia. The prices are very reasonable and it would seem that the shop must resupply from a lot of house clearances and suchlike to offer the prices they do.
It’s certainly chaotic within and items are stored randomly atop each other with no real thought for sectioning. This actually increases the fun and while you may not walk out with any purchases, you certainly won’t be disappointed by the time you spent hunting about. It’s an especially good way to kill some minutes waiting for your bus, but beware getting caught up too long!

It might sound like the name of Jamie Oliver’s latest food venture but Lovely Jubbly is actually an old fashion junk shop on Lewes Road. I use the word junk rather than antiques, vintage or retro because nearly everything they sell looks like junk.
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty however, Lovely Jubbly stock an eclectic assortment of old mirrors, cabinets, cupboards, chairs, tables, desks and lampstands. Prices are lower than local charity shops and they get new stock in frequently — though by new I clearly mean old and secondhand stock. All you need is imagination and the elbow grease to thoroughly wash, sand, paint and recycle whatever you buy!

To entice customers in you’d usually find the stock outside a to be of an alluring and attractive nature but throwing this concept on it’s head is Lovely Jubbly. It’s store front display is rather intriguing and includes tiny leather jackets and depressed homeless furniture, everyday playing a reverse game of Tetris to prepare for another days custom. Dark and dingy, there really could be anything to found in there and it’s a joy to try and hunt them out. Although mostly unsuccessful I find the one shop car boot that has been created here, hoarding things throughout the decades, has a certain charm.

Lovely Jubbly has intrigued me each time I pass it on the bus. A different selection of furniture and home décor seems to be just outside the shop each day, luring me in. Well, I understand why some of the stock is put outside — the shop could not possibly contain anything else.
I could barely walk through the door and assumed it was just a crowded entry way but, um, no. Things were everywhere, not categorised into any sections and leaving only the tiniest space in which to walk to the back. The best example: an end table sitting tentatively atop the jewellery case.
I was nearly laughing by the time I snuck back out — I wasn’t expecting such an adventure.

I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this place yet! Apart form anything else, I love the name, it makes me smile, every time I walk past. And its such an inappropriate name (maybe its ironic?), considering the the way the place looks! From the outside it looks dark and dingy, and sort of like it might be harbouring vampires on the inside. Walk inside and what you actually find is a big old junk shop. This is a real sort the chaff from the wheat kinda place… good luck trying to do that too, as everything is finely balanced, crammed and stacked in to every corner– move one item and it might all come tumbling down like a house of cards!
Outside there is usually a selection of plant pots, mirrors, clothing and other odds and ends. Sometimes there’ll be a real gem and sometimes it will literally be old junk, but everything will be reasonably priced. Inside really is worth a look too… there’s books, furniture and more. An ideal place for bargain hunters who don’t mind getting their hands dirty!