General News
6 March, 2026
New hub opens in High Street
High Street’s newest store, Central HIVE, is a welcoming hub for local creators and makers to sell their goods and teach other their skills.
Store owner Milly Bullock operated a similar space in Rochester for many years, functioning similar to a farmers market, without having to set up in the early hours of a freezing cold or windy morning
Located at 89 - 91 High Street, she has brought the idea to her hometown, running the show alongside her husband, mother and volunteers.
Officially having their soft launch last week, Ms Bullock has already been swamped with positive feedback.
“To see another retail store in town with such high quality, wonderfully hand made items, people are blown away by the quality, it’s always really humbling and lovely to hear ... I love passing that back to our store holders,” she said.
“With a lot of shops closing and a lot of shops vacant, the response has been fantastic to see.”
elling baby goods, gifts, decor, candles, foods and preserves, and knitted goods, the space is an emporium of products from makers based in Ampitheatre, Maldon, Daisy Hill and Maryborough.
The store operates on a model where creators pay a fee for their products to be sold on site, with the profits going straight back to them.
Ms Bullock is also excited to open a creative space behind the store in the coming months, with plans to host workshops run by creators where others can learn their creative skills, whether it’s candle making, sewing or knitting.
“When we have mentioned about the classes and groups, it has been overwhelming, people asking ‘yeah, please, when are you starting, please let me know. So, that has been quite exciting too,” she said.
Ms Bullock is calling on other local creators who either wish to sell their goods, or use the creative space, to inquire with her.
“That’s what we have really tried to target as well, not wanting to double up on too much of a similar product, and really reaching far to get something different,” she said.
“We have got things for fellas, people that enjoy cooking, people that enjoy crafts, self care ... we are looking for more variety, I would love some pottery, I’d love some leather goods and things like that so we are always looking for more.
“They can either pop in and see me or they can search us on our Facebook page. We welcome anyone with their goods to show us, we do try to keep our similar products to a minimum so there is that variety, and we obviously try to support as many of the local people as we can which is fantastic.
“If they have a talent like that, they may want to run a workshop, run a class, and we can help promote that and facilitate that, they might want to share the talents they have got which is what I’m really excited about.”
Ms Bullock can be contacted at thecentralhive@outlook.com