Rope, chain, varnish and fittings. The door is open in all weathers.
Bennett’s Chandlery is a low building on the western side of the harbour, its front hung with buoys and coils of rope. Mr Tom Bennett has run it for more than twenty years.
The sign is hand-painted and has been repainted many times, so that the letters are now a good deal thicker than they began. Inside, the shop smells of rubber, diesel and stored canvas. The shelves are deep and hold fittings, shackles, cleats, chain, varnish, tape and rope. Light bulbs and hooks are also kept, for customers without a boat. A radio plays on the counter.
The door stands open in all weathers. Mr Bennett holds that a closed door is bad for business and worse for conversation. Customers who stay to talk are given tea in a mug. The tea is strong.
The chandlery is reached from the High Street by way of Harbour Lane and the Harbour Bridge. Tide tables for the year may be had at the counter.
Details
- Address
- The western side of the harbour, on the quay
- Proprietor
- Mr Tom Bennett
- Hours
- Every day, 7.30 to 6, or thereabouts
On the map
Marked on the town map.
Appears in
- Book 0Prequel A Small Matter of a Missing Cat
- Book 1 Murder at Seabrook Pier
- Book 3 The Seabrook Regatta Sabotage
What the locals say
“If Tom hasn’t got it, he’ll tell you what to use instead. It won’t take him many words.”
