This weekend Knaresborough high street will welcome a new addition called The Clothing Store of Knaresborough.

Owner Rebecca Lombardi is passionate about catering for all sizes and will stock women’s clothes sizes eight to 32 once it opens on Saturday.

The store has been a dream of Rebecca’s since she started working in retail at 16.

The shop is flooded with light and the clothes racks are spread out to allow for an easy shopping experience.

She opened her own online business in 2017 and her extensive retail experience has given her an eye for style. As she scans the racks of clothing, her passion is obvious.

The array of colours and fabrics is set against the shop’s white walls. The space is clean and bright with industrial touches, such as steel racks for the clothes to hang on.

Rebecca said:

“I loved the feel of the front of the building and I thought it would make a lovely shop.

“I wanted the industrial look and white walls. I wanted the feel of a high-end boutique but without the price tag.”

Bright and colourful clothes hang in abundance around the shop.

Her online site, Deals Direct, dealt with customers from all over the country but Rebecca wanted to offer the full shopping experience too.

She said:

“I think I can be a specialist to the plus-size range and I have a lot of regular customers that I think will travel to have the shopping experience.

“The average UK size is 16 to 18 yet you go into most shops and all those sizes have sold out. It’s really important to look at the average size and shape of your customers and cater for those customers that may be excluded by other retailers.”

Knaresborough’s high street has evolved in recent months with many other shops opening. Rebecca fell for the town’s charm, and said she was welcomed with excitement and positivity from residents and other businesses.

Some of Rebecca’s team. Maisie Withnell, Aimee Blakeborough and Katie Shaw.

Customer service is a priority for Rebecca, who hopes to offer shoppers a one-to-one service.

“I want my customers to get a feel-good shopping experience and also find something they want to purchase.”

Currently the shop only stocks women’s clothes but she hopes to bring in men’s items before Christmas.

The entrance area to the shop.

It has taken Rebecca years to build up her customer base and it is only now she has the confidence to open a shop. She is also offering some space to other small businesses to stock their products.

“I want to give small businesses the chance to get their foot in the door. I know I would have really appreciated it at the beginning.”

Appleton’s Butchers is opening a new shop in Knaresborough on August 18.

The shop will be the fifth Appleton’s in Yorkshire – with others in Ripon, Boroughbridge, Wetherby and York. The shop will create new employment opportunities and encourage people to shop locally.

The butchers chain was established in Ripon in 1867 and is famous for its handmade pork pies.

The Knaresborough premises just off Market Place have taken over four years to renovate. Unforeseen circumstances caused the opening to be delayed.

Owners Anthony and Isabel Sterne have continued to operate throughout lockdown to support the local communities. Mr Sterne said:

“We are so excited to be joining the Knaresborough community and look forward to welcoming local residents, who have been hugely patient whilst we have redeveloped the shop.

“Although currently we’re not allowed to have a big opening event, we will be inviting suppliers and friends on an appointment basis, so we are able to comply with social distancing measures.”

The flagship shop in Ripon is popular with local residents and the company hopes the new shop in Knaresborough will be the same.

Read more:

• Knaresborough Chamber of Trade publishes survey displaying the impact of coronavirus on local businesses. 
• A lockdown pop-up became so successful the owners set up a permanent shop. 

Martin Sterne, manager of the renovation project, said:

“The medieval back wall was bowing out and the whole building was in danger of collapse.

“The ancient timber frame was in a serious state of disrepair. We were committed to sourcing materials that were in keeping with the original ones. Part of the building dates back to the 17th century, so it was hugely important to us that it retained its character and integrity.”

On a rainy Wednesday morning, there was more of a trickle than a flood of customers for the 8am opening of the new M&S Food store in Ripon.

Store manager Paul Nicoll told The Stray Ferret:

“Because of COVID-19  and the requirements for social distancing, we decided on a ‘soft’ opening to ensure the safety of customers and staff.”

He added:

“That’s why we didn’t make a big thing about publicising our first day opening time.”

The new store opened today with staff eager to serve their new customers.

The store, which is the first to open on the St  Michael’s Retail Park on Rotary Way, Ripon, was scheduled to start trading on April 29, but the planned opening was put on hold because of the coronavirus crisis.

Read more:

• Ripon councillor calls for vigilance after his van is stolen
• Bishop’s blessing for new Ripon M&S store

Even with the government relaxing social distancing from two metres to one, the need for caution was evident in store, with hand sanitiser, a one way in and one way out system for customers and staff wearing masks.

The first shopper through the doors was Janis Stone of Bishop Monkton, who said:

“I’m delighted that M&S are back in Ripon, I used to go to the small store they had in the city centre until it closed.”

She added:

“I think they will do very well here.”