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Velvet Exclusive Ladieswear of Ramsbottom are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year and after a very successful trading year, Velvet Menswear is also marking their first anniversary milestone.

 

Velvet first opened it’s stylish doors in 2010 with Debbie at the helm and six years later, in 2016 the business moved to a prime position on Bridge Street. The business continued to develop and grow, bucking the trend of the average stores on the high street.

 

When the former NatWest Bank premises on Bridge Street became available in 2019, this smart businesswoman grasped the opportunity with both hands and decided to open a second store, this time primarily to showcase menswear. The menswear 1st birthday event taking place on 2nd April will be the icing on the cake for the velvet team’s hard work.

 

With the invaluable support of her close knit team and family, Debbie admits that opening a second shop has gone pretty smoothly considering the speed that it all happened

“My team have been fantastic and Velvet would not be what it is today without them all. They have all worked so hard to help make this happen and quickly learned about the new brands we stock for mens and women – its been a whirl wind experience and a very successful one too”.

 

Debbie and her loyal team spent 2019 building product knowledge to ensure they were offering the best customer service and shopping experience for their loyal and new customers. A whistle stop tour of fashion trade shows both here in the UK and in Europe helped build solid foundations for both stores.

 

“ This first year trading with two stores has been hard work but those trips were very successful in shaping the menswear brands we wanted for Velvet” adds Debbie. “It’s been great to see the collections and we’re really proud to introduce brands like Barbour for ladies and gents, Fynch- Hatton, Meyer, and Bugatti to name but a few”.

 

Debbie admits that whilst she knew there was a gap in the market for menswear,she did listen to her loyal customer base to see if there was a demand for the new shop. “I have lots of men coming into Velvet ladieswear with their wives and partners and we found that men generally wanted to shop local too and started requesting brands they would like to see in Ramsbottom. I wanted to ensure that our menswear store had the right brands and products coupled with how we merchandised it to make a man feel like he was being catered for.We have tried to take the thought process away and show men how to dress through the layout of the store – we have had a tremendous reaction so far – and long may this continue”.

 

 

With Velvet offering something for everyone, and both buildings offering their own charm, get comfortable,take a seat on the velvet armchair and enjoy a cuppa from fine bone china and shop to your hearts content – you will not be disappointed.