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17
Dec 2020
'Independent shops will lead Ripon's revival', says ex-Wrens owner
Philly Butler firmly believes there is a bright future for independent retailers in Ripon.
For eight years, she and husband Mark provided a base at Wrens department store for fledgling businesses — more than a dozen of which grew and set up their own shops in the city.
'The house of independent retailers', as Wrens was known, closed this month after the cumulative effects of lockdown lost trade in the crucial summer and pre-Christmas periods took its toll.
Among 52 Wrens' occupiers that had to look for a new location to sell their goods was Philly's own fashion and accessories business Daisy Clover Boutique.
She told the Stray Ferret:
But despite the disastrous impact of covid on retailers large and small, Philly remains confident of a post-coronavirus comeback for the high street in Ripon. She said:
She added:
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Ripon's vacant shops are smaller than those in bigger retail centres, such as Harrogate and Leeds.
Smaller units are likely be much easier to fill than large units vacated by the likes of Debenhams, which could be to Ripon's advantage.
Philly said:
Her niche is an ever-changing display of one-off hand-selected womenswear made mostly from cotton, silk or cashmere and imported from Europe.
Philly also has another string to her bow as a perfume designer who helps people create customised aromas for themselves or as personalised gifts. She said:
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