Please scroll down for shop policies
"You don't know what to expect...
then you walk in & WOW!"
Customer
It's true that we just love to stock our little shop with everything you can't live without...authentic, happy, lovely stuff, all hand-picked for you to enjoy... collectables, quirky home decor, special treats for collectors, and one-of-a-kind gifts...
and we add new stock every week!
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No such thing as
a "quick look round"
here!
Find an Aladdin's Cave of ideas at
Antiques in the Alley!
"I say chaps, Jolly Good Show!"
We may be small but.....
Where are we?
Right in the town centre, just off the main High Street in a small medieval thoroughfare known as
Cheyne Lane. Just look for
The Cornish Bakery on the
High Street and we are in the lane right next to this coffee house.
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See our pavement board at the top of the lane & our famous
blue and white shop sign under the gas lamp just half way down.
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Special pick-up facility available!
NB. Your sat nav should be set to "High Street" only, NOT
"High Street St. Martin's"
which is another area of the town
Everyone loves Stamford!
This much sought-after place to live is a firm favourite with tourists and visitors who love its independent businesses, al fresco dining and scenic river walks close to the shops! The ancient walled town has medieval roots with a later Georgian influence offering lots of history, unsurpassed architecture and special sites of interest.
Hope you love it as much as we do!
OUR PROMISE TO YOU...
QUALITY
Our stock comes only from trusted, reputable traders. Our items are hand-picked, inspected and given a competitive price tag. Our prices are checked regularly to reflect the current market.
PROFESSIONALISM
We offer a friendly and professional service. We always maintain a well-stocked, on-trend shop giving assistance to all our customers.
Our shop is accessible to everyone.
Privacy policy in place.
Damages policy in place.
Please support us by not bringing food and drink into our shop.
Please do not ask for discounts as
our prices are already competitive.
EXPERTISE
We offer accurate and up to date information to help you choose with confidence. We have a fairly broad knowledge of our subject. Please be assured of honesty and transparency at all times.
Shop Policy & Privacy
Compiled by Corinna Hoptroff (Proprietor) in accordance with the law
Updated December 18th 2025
All items are sold as seen. Antique and vintage items are from a bygone era and will always show signs of age and use. An item may not have as long a life as modern items due to its age. Items have not undergone the intense safety scrutiny as newly-manufactured items. All pieces will be checked with you before money is exchanged, unless you are purchasing the item remotely in which case we encourage you to ask questions and request further images prior to payment. We cannot be responsible for anything that happens to your item after you leave
the shop.
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*We do not give discounts as our small business cannot run to these demands, thank you
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* We do not reserve items, you buy the item at the time and take it
with you
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* If you break or damage an item in our shop belonging to us you will be asked to pay the full amount. Our shop policy is detailed below and will be explained to you at the time of any damage caused.
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RETURNS & REFUNDS
All transactions are final.
Please inspect your item & ask any questions before buying.
We do not give refunds although you may be entitled to a
credit note or an exchange depending upon the circumstances.
We do not offer credit notes or exchanges when:
* the item is not in the same condition as when it left the shop
*you decide you don't like or need the item, particularly if you leave your item in the shop indefinitely or delay collecting it.
Please note that our items are handpicked, and undergo a thorough inspection, and therefore we know each piece
very well indeed.​
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Distance Selling Law applies to items purchased remotely
& there are time restrictions
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AGE RESTRICTIONS
Certain items will not be sold to under 18s. This includes knives, tools, cigarette lighters and other tobacciana, mechanical equipment, medical equipment, & other miscellaneous items.
Customers under 18 years must have a parent or guardian present and proof of age will be required of all persons in all cases.
Also see below regarding vintage toys.
This policy is posted in the shop
VINTAGE TOYS
Vintage toys sold in this shop are for collectors only. At Hoptroff & Lee we discourage the sale of vintage toys for use by very young children as these items may contain small parts and sharp edges that could be dangerous.
As a customer you will be given this information.
What you then decide to buy and for whom is your concern.
Unlike modern toys, these items have not undergone rigorous safety tests prior to their second-hand sale and therefore safety cannot be guaranteed. Persons below the age of 16 years wanting to purchase vintage toys may be asked to have a guardian present to receive the appropriate warnings and guidelines. This is a precaution taken by Hoptroff & Lee to ensure safety for customers.
Proof of age of guardian may be required.
This policy is also posted in the shop.
VISITING OUR SHOP
​*Everyone is welcome at our shop, it has an accessible entrance and assistance if required.
*We actively discourage buyers from bringing food & drink into the shop in order to protect our stock and fittings.
It is courteous to ask to take photographs inside the shop, it is illegal to take photographs on private property, but you can take snaps of the exterior of the building.
* Small, well-behaved dogs only please.
* Well-behaved children only please.
* In the unlikely event of an accident occurring on our shop premises, this MUST be reported AT THE TIME of the accident so that the necessary action can be taken and an accident report completed.
Security CCTV is in operation on the premises.
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PURCHASING ONLINE
Postage is by Royal Mail First Class Signature on Delivery. Packaging is extra. We can send certain items only and we will advise customers regarding the suitability of an item for posting.
Dispatch is within 2-3 days.
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PRIVACY POLICY
To​ comply with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), we do not store customer details. Any previous records have been destroyed. We can take a phone number (if requested by the customer) for contact within 24 hours only after which all details are destroyed. You may invite us to contact you by using our form on the "Contact Us" page of this website, or by emailing us, or using Whatsapp. Again, all details of the query are deleted automatically when we have dealt with your enquiry. No information of any kind relating to customer details, queries or sales details is stored in any part of our Stamford shop or computer/mobile phone system. We do not possess or operate any software that enables us to keep any such records. Your details are not passed or sold to any third party. Any conversation is treated with the utmost confidence and not relayed to other staff or customers. Should you see your own personal image in any of our website photographs or any social media video/image initiated by Hoptroff & Lee, you can ask us to remove it at any time. Please be aware that CCTV operates within the shop and that, once reviewed, all tapes are wiped for reuse. Only images causing concern are kept and handed over to the Police
if an incident arises. Any such images will only be posted on Social media for the benefit of other shop owners with the permission of the Police.
Policy regarding breakage or other damage to an item by a customer in the shop before payment has been made
Breakages and damages of items in our shop by customers must be paid for in full. The shop owner has the right to take legal action otherwise.
These are the important points in explanation of this issue:
1). The shop owner is the legal owner of all items in the shop before purchase is made and the customer who has damaged an item is then themselves liable for that damage even if it is considered accidental damage.
2). Signs in the shop for customers to "ask for help as breakages must be paid for" are clearly visible. It is the customer's responsibility to take this advice.
3). This is a small business and, as such, has the same overheads of any business selling from physical premises. Unlike the larger stores we cannot absorb the cost of losses, and any profits from the damaged items are lost.
4). There should be no prejudice against our shop due to its non-new items. Vintage and antique items, collectables and other small items of interest cost money to acquire whatever their origin. Unlike some larger antiques dealers who may acquire items cheaply in bulk for large profits, our items are lovingly chosen, individually, and have a competitive price tag for a small profit.
5). As a small business we have high insurance costs and cannot afford to claim for individual damages on our insurance. A single breakage can cost us our small profit, not to mention the disappointment of losing the item.
At Hoptroff & Lee we will:
1). Assess the incident with the customer, away from other customers, and in a calm and constructive manner (both parties)
2). Explain the above points to the customer
3). Document the incident if the customer refuses to pay or does not pay in full, with the option of legal action on the part of the shop owner. CCTV images can be handed over to the Police in the first instance.
4). As each case is individual, we may offer a goodwill gesture and accept less than required payment. This will depend upon the circumstances at the time.​
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