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12
Oct
Harrogate sewing machine shop goes on the market after 45 years
A well-established Harrogate business has been put on the market as its owner plans to retire after spending 45 years in the business.
White Rose Sewing and Craft Centre on Commercial Street is for sale as owner Philip Pearson, 67, prepares for retirement.
The shop was first established in 1979, and Mr Pearson has worked in the industry since his early twenties.
Mr Pearson told the Stray Ferret that he plans to retire in April next year and hopes someone will continue the legacy of the shop.
He said:
I plan to retire in April, I am the right age and it’s the right time. I think I’ve done my bit.
He added that his plans for his retirement involve travelling in Europe and the UK, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Philip Pearson
The company services and repairs all models of sewing machines. It also stocks sewing machines, spares and accessories. The business is currently listed on Rightmove for £74,950.
Mr Pearson first started in the industry by following in his father’s footsteps.
His father worked for Singer sewing machines and after 32 years the job became redundant, and he was offered to two sewing machine shops in Otley and Castleford.
After his father passed away Mr Pearson inherited the business and has now worked in the industry for what will be 46 years in January.
After selling the two shops and setting up another in his hometown of Wetherby he was offered a Harrogate shop seventeen years ago. He now only has the Harrogate branch.
Now Mr Pearson works alongside his daughter Rebecca and the pair open the shop six days a week.
The Pearson family collectively have over 100 years of experience in the industry.
The interior of White Rose
Mr Pearson hopes the long-established business will continue in the town and someone will purchase it before next April.
He said:
I’d love for it to carry on. There isn’t another shop here and there has been a sewing machine shop in Harrogate since the 1950s.
It is a good profitable business that has been around for a long time and has a good customer base. You wouldn’t be starting from scratch.
He added that he will miss his regular customers and the Harrogate community.
He said:
The message to my customers would be thank you for your support over the years.
I will miss the people here because there are a lot of customers that I have known for a lot of years.
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