UK Cigar Scene Magazine June Issue 6 | Page 32

Focus on Preston Mysmokingshop Mysmokingshop in Preston is a specialist tobacconist founded in 2004 by Simon Jackson. Previously Simon owned and ran two newsagent/tobacconists in the centre of Preston. After ten successful years thanks to the popularity of the internet and the increasing numbers of personal customers in the store Simon moved the business into new and much larger premises in June 2014. The new store was designed with an eye to the constraints of the Tobacco display ban and Simon was able to design the interior of the shop to be compliant whilst still retaining an ‘open’ shop window. The Humidor was significantly increased in size so that a far wider range of cigars could be displayed and the store proudly claims to have every Cuban cigar brand and vitola on display along with over 70 different New World Cigar brands with 100’s of vitolas from within their ranges. In addition to being a cigar specialist Mysmokingshop also caters for pipe smokers with over 400 pipes on display in store and 1000’s more to choose from through their website. The store has a large public house opposite the store called the Fleece Inn which has a vast beer garden/smoking area with seating for over 50 people. There is also Salvatore’s an Italian restaurant within 100yds which also has an outdoor smoking area in front. Plans are in hand to work with the Fleece and Salvatore’s for tasting evenings in the near future. Watch the UK Cigar Scene diary for further details. There are also plans to remodel the store slightly to create a cigar sampling area. On arriving at Mysmokingshop you will find parking at the front of the store with easy disabled access and automated door opening system. On entering the store your nostrils will be assailed by the fine sweet smelling aromas of the pipe tobaccos. On entering the humidor customers enjoy the same fantastic aromas which you will only usually get when visiting the great cigar factories of Cuba, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. This is complemented by an extensive array of pipe tobacco. Mysmokingshop is very much a family affair with Simon and his wife Sarah both working within the business, Simon being a ‘hands-on’ owner is generally seen, along with his manager Ben, helping the in-store customers, answering the phones and emails, and controlling the flow of orders coming through the website. Sarah is generally to be found behind the scenes managing the team as they fulfil customers online orders. 31 Web site: https://mysmokingshop.co.uk Telephone: 01772 746607 Address: 40c Liverpool Road, Penwortham, Preston, PR1 0DQ Store Opening: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm Saturday 9am to 1pm Sunday Closed