Robin’s Nest Emporium: antiques and traders in Southampton

Robin’s Nest Emporium is an antique and second-hand warehouse at Unit C, Atlantic Works, Oakley Road, Southampton SO16 4LL. It is set up as a collection of more than 90 trader spaces, so the stock changes depending on who is selling. You can expect a broad mix of homewares, kitchen items, furniture, glass, china, mirrors, collectibles, fashion, toys, old tools, pots and garden items, rather than one tightly defined style. That makes it more of a browsing trip than a shop where you go in knowing exactly what you will find.

The warehouse also includes The Nest Cafe, serving cakes, hot and cold drinks and snacks, with outdoor decking for warmer days. Reviews describe the staff as friendly and mention the free parking as a useful advantage. The range is a clear strength, although prices vary because each trader sets their own, and one recurring practical comment is that the interior can feel cold. The store is run by Nathan Alexander, a Southampton antiques dealer, and the building also houses an old Daily Echo clock from the 1940s. The clock originally stood outside the former Southern Daily Echo offices on Above Bar Street; its display and restoration arrangements have varied between the business’s locations.

The Southampton branch first opened in February 2020 in a former NatWest bank on High Street, near St Michael’s Church, but closed shortly afterwards during the coronavirus lockdown. It later moved to its current Oakley Road warehouse, where the larger layout allows space for the many independent traders. As of Sunday 13 September 2026, opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 10:00–17:30, and Sunday, 10:30–17:00. Sunday browsing is limited to 10:30–11:00, and bank-holiday hours are 10:00–16:00. The listed contact number is 07393 486445, and the business can also be reached at info@robinsnestemporium.co.uk. A current charity beneficiary is Rose Road Association, which provides respite care for children and adults with complex disabilities.