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06
Sept 2024
Women’s clothing boutique returns to Harrogate
A boutique selling gifts, accessories and clothing has reopened in Harrogate.
Dizzy Duck opened earlier this week (September 3) on Oxford Street in the former House of Hair unit.
The shop is owned by Louise Chesters from Ripley who previously ran a shop under the same name on Albert Street.
The Albert Street store opened in 2019 and closed in 2022.
Since 2022 Ms Chesters has opened a Dizzy Duck store in Lonsdale, in the Lake District, but felt the time was right to open again in Harrogate.
She said:
It is the right time to embrace Harrogate. It is an ideal location, and I am really excited to be back.
The response we have had from customers has been great. It has been quite emotional seeing old customers and familiar faces.
Footfall is stronger than anticipated and it is nice to have such a strong response so quickly. We are open and evolving each day.
The former Dizzy Duck shop on Albert Street in 2020
Ms Chesters always had aspirations to become a businesswoman.
From a young age both of her parents owned their own businesses, and she began her retail career aged 18 working in Harrogate Interiors.
From there she opened a tanning salon in her twenties and then launched the Ripley-based shop The Fizzy Fox, which is now owned by her sister.
The Dizzy Duck sells accessories and gifts with a clothing range spanning sizes 8-30. There are plans to expand the shop’s gifting range within the next few weeks.
Ms Chesters said she hasn’t refurbished the unit but that “it feels quirky, like a long-term pop-up” with the old décor.
The shop signage is set to be installed in the coming weeks.
She added that she has no plans to employ any staff at this stage but added that this may change in the future.
Louise Chesters outside the new Harrogate shop
She said:
I feel encouraged by the number of tourists and being out of town and then returning I have noticed Harrogate feels more vibrant.
I am just enjoying engaging with lots of beautiful faces and bringing something different to Harrogate and want to share that with customers.
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