A QUIRKY TROVE OF TEMPTING DELIGHTS

Where: 15a Wednesday Market, Beverley

It sells: Gifts, furniture, home wares, accessories

Open: Monday to Saturday from 9.15am to 5.30pm, Sunday from 11am to 4pm

Call: 01482 888400

B everley definitely seems to be cornering the market in quirky little independent stores in the area at the moment.

And when a friend casually asked if I had ever been to Amanti, I was not surprised there was an outlet in the market town I had somehow overlooked.

Without further ado, I decided to remedy the situation and visit – particularly as it came with a trusted recommendation.

Window shopping

In typically Beverley fashion, the store has an attractive, historic exterior. Perched on the end of a row of shops at the edge of Wednesday Market, it looks inviting. I loved the bird-designed enamel-wear mugs and jugs in the window. We entered with excitement.

First impressions

With bright white walls and plenty of natural light, the store actually has a much brighter, more modern interior than you may imagine from the quaint Georgian paned glass windows.

The layout is eclectic, and cosy, rather than sleek, with displays scattered on shabby chic tables and cabinets around the room.

We pass by a display of literary mugs (£7.99) based around classic paperbacks and some Cath Kidston mugs (£5) immediately inside the door, then there is a selection of really cute baby gifts towards the back of the store.

To be honest, the displays seem a little bit disjointed but it does have a certain quirky charm and makes you wonder what else you will find.

A sign on the wall exhorts you to explore upstairs, which we do before properly looking at what else is on offer downstairs.

The picture magnet boards (£39.99) for the wall lining the staircase, with cute matching magnets (£39.99) – e.g. a sweet design, with liquorice allsorts magnets, a beach scene with pebbles etc. – catch our eye as we walk up the stairs, although seem a tad expensive to me but maybe that is because I can be a bit of a tightwad.

Surprisingly, there is a selection of upholstered furniture upstairs, which are really attractive but not, somehow, what I was expecting.

The ranges, Fama, Content by Conran and Ashley Manor, are all great quality and are not unreasonably priced.

A circular Fama chair was priced at around £850 but there are clearly lots of different styles and pieces you can order from the range.

On side tables along one wall, were what could only be described as "bits and bobs", including picture frames from Gisela Graham (from £9.99), photo frames, pictures – including those retro-style slogan pics that are popular at the moment – candles and home fragrancing accessories. It was all very nice but – to borrow a teen phrase – all a bit random.

The random nature continues downstairs, with some beautiful kitchen accessories, from shabby chic aprons to fabulous hand-finished enamelled trays, jugs and beakers and a nest of multi-coloured Joseph bowls I have been coveting for a while to the Portmeirion Crazy Daisy crockery, which I also love.

Throw in Marmite products, clocks, father's day gifts, scarves, bags and jewellery and you may have some idea of what Amanti offers. Then again, you may not.

Did I buy?

As my niece has just returned from travelling abroad and had been talking about getting herself one, I decided to treat her to the quirky scratch map (£11.99), which is designed to let you scratch off the places you have visited all over the globe.

Staff and service

One single assistant let us freely browse but was chatty and friendly at the till – could not be faulted as we felt comfortable throughout.

Verdict

If I were to sum up, I would say Amanti seems to be the kind of shop that someone has decided to set up selling exactly the kind of things they love – no matter what those items may be.

It is slightly eclectic, definitely different but quite quintessentially English and fun. I happen to love the taste of whoever the buyer is, and am happy to have discovered a new store that is potentially a mine field for future gift-buying sprees. I will be returning, without a doubt. The only danger will be whether I will be able to resist treating myself as well as the present receivers.