Ripon department store hopes summer trade will secure its future

Wrens, the Ripon department store that is home to 55 independent retailers, reopened on Tuesday, hoping that summer trade will secure its future.

Owner Mark Butler,  told The Stray Ferret:

“The lockdown period has been an extremely difficult time for all of the businesses here and I think as we gradually come out of it, it will be a case of battening down the hatches and hanging on in there, hoping that the loyal customer base that has supported us, returns as we re-open our doors.”

Day trippers, visitors and holiday makers who stay in the Ripon area, make up 65 percent of the store’s customer base. With air travel out for many this summer, retailers hope that more people will stay in the holiday homes and nearby caravan sites and come to the city to spend their money.

Mr Butler pointed out:

“If we can get over the next few months and also see our tearoom re-open, it can help set us up for Christmas, which is always our most important trading time of the year.”

 

Wrens was established seven years ago, when the Fishergate premises, previously occupied by the Philip Hall department store, was transformed into an outlet that helps small independent retailers enter the market place at low financial risk, with affordable short to medium term leases.

The success of the concept, launched by Mr Butler and his wife, Philomena, can be seen in different parts of the city: Fig & Willow gift-shop, Antiques and Collectables, Eastwick handbags and the Easylearn toy shop, are all among Ripon retailers, formerly based at Wrens, who now have their own shops.

The department store continues to feature an eclectic mixture of retailers, from a cooper who turns the ends of barrels into unique clocks, to a trader who sells vintage toys and train sets.

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In addition to handmade gifts, cards and collectables, there is a large women’s wear section and furniture department.

In 2014  Wrens received recognition for the ingenious way in which it nurtures new retail businesses with an award from the small business network and advice hub, Ingenious Britain,.

Now, Mr Butler and the retailers that he works with, will be showing all the ingenuity that they can to ensure that they make it through the tough times that lie ahead.