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31
Mar
Meet the new owners of longstanding Ripon homeware store
“We want people to know things will be kept very similar… we’re just adding our own stamp on it”, Robert Neemes said.
Mr Neemes and his wife Zoe are the new owners of The Castle in Ripon – a homeware and furniture business that has operated in the city for more than three decades.
Founder Graham Wilkes listed the North Street business for sale last November to take a well-deserved retirement.
Mr and Mrs Neemes, a Richmond couple, secured the future of The Castle and the shop officially opened under their ownership this morning (March 31).
The couple were just an hour into their first day's trading when they spoke to the Stray Ferret, but what has the reception been like so far?
Mr Neemes said:
We’ve had some great feedback from people already. Even during the first hour, we’ve had so many customers saying how lovely the shop is, which is a credit to Graham and Sasha.
A former dental nurse, The Castle is Ms Neemes’ first taste of retail. However, Mr Neemes joined his family business in the bed industry in his teenager years and has returned to Ripon, where it all began, 20 years later.
He said:
When I was 18, I worked opposite here. There was a building that has now been knocked down to widen the road, but that’s where the family business started.
I knew Graham then… he was a bit of a mentor to me. It’s been so nice to buy the business from Graham and Sasha… he’s been so helpful the whole way through.
Inside The Castle.
The difficulties of running a business are no secret; stories of shops closing and businesses folding have dominated local and national headlines in recent months.
So, why did the couple want to take on The Castle?
Mr Neemes said:
You [Mrs Neemes] love interiors and you’re really good at it – you’ve got a great passion for it – so, it was very easy for me to ask Zoe if she wanted to do something like this. Zoe obviously really did.
Mrs Neemes also told the Stray Ferret the shop is well-established in Ripon and has a long-standing customer base, adding:
It’s a really popular shop, so it’s nice to take over something with such a good reputation.
The North Street store.
Plans
Former owner Mr Wilkes previously told the Stray Ferret Mr and Mrs Neemes would retain existing stock and suppliers, but would “take the business forward with their own ideas”.
Mr Neemes said much of the shop will remain the same, but the couple plan to put their own twist on it. He added:
We will be using those suppliers and keep that stock in, but Zoe has also got a lot of items that she would like to bring in. It’ll be a blend of it all really.
Mrs Neemes said they will be supplying more cushions, throws, candles and a bigger range of lamps.
Artificial flowers will also be available, as well as new brands such as St. Eval.
Mr Neemes will juggle running The Castle with his family business, which he is still part of, while Mrs Neemes will be in the shop three days a week.
Mrs Neemes said once both their young sons are at school, her days in the shop will increase.
Employee Lynn, who has worked at The Castle for around 25 years and was fittingly described as “part of the furniture”, will keep operations running smoothly on the remaining days.
The couple added:
We’re just adding to the store – adding our own stamp on it. Graham and Sasha have done such a wonderful job on it and we wish them a very happy retirement.
The Castle is open 9.30am until 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and 11am until 4pm on Sundays.
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