The real 'Pooh Corner' is put up for sale

A Sussex shop that claims to boast the world's largest collection of Winnie-the-Pooh memorabilia has been put up for sale by its retiring owners.

Pooh Corner, in Hartfield, is being marketed as having the potential to be a "major tourist destination", and features a gift shop, tea rooms with a garden and a holiday apartment. Owners, Mike and June Ridley, said that in the hands of the right people, the shop could be turned into an attraction of international standard.

"There's nothing like Pooh Corner anywhere," Mr Ridley claimed.

The shop has been running since 1978, opening to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the publication of the iconic children's book The House At Pooh Corner, written by AA Milne in 1928. The stories of Pooh and his friends were originally inspired by and based on the landscape near Hartfield, and the village is known as "the gateway to Pooh country".

It already attracts visitors from all over the world - particularly from the USA and Japan - but has the potential to become even more of a draw, particularly through web-based retailing. Last year's opening of the holiday flat on the premises - Owl's House - added the potential for overnight stays at the site.

The shop is on the market for £600,000 through Lawson Commercial.

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