A WEALTH of independent clothing boutiques make Worcestershire a haven for fashion-conscious shoppers.
In Worcester, the small independent traders have created a vibrant community and customers are loyal.
Harriet Wilkes opened her lingerie shop Barbarella, in Friar Street, in December 2004.
She has been passionate about supporting local trade since day one and believes Worcester’s independent quarter now rivals the fashion capitals.
“We’re really lucky in Worcester to have so many independent boutiques that you won’t find anywhere else,” she said.
“We get more and more customers saying they’ve been to Birmingham or London for shopping and they found a much better variety of stores here. I think people are becoming more aware of that.
“They can stay on the High Street and go to all the usual places, or they can discover all these boutiques selling stuff you just can’t get in High Street stores.
“And if people stop using us then we will die out.”
Independent clothing re-tailers in Worcester cater for all tastes.
There is Durrants stocking Barbour jackets, Jingo in CrownGate selling on-trend menswear, Secondhand Rose offering vintage wares in the Hopmarket, and Stripes in Foregate Street selling distinctive, designer womenswear.
Armstrongs in Sansome Street, Worcester, has offered a bespoke tailoring service for almost 250 years.
Backing our Buy Local campaign, managing director Simon Hyslop said: “Buying locally has never been as important as it is today.
“I think customers are becoming more aware of what they are being offered at the big multiples; this constant sale, constant 20 per cent off.
“They see a store with these permanent discount offers and they’ll think, ‘If they can offer such discounts on their goods, we’re paying too much in the first place’.”
Worcester is also home to clothing brand Fly53.
Founded in the 1990s the firm (fly53.com) has grown into an innovative street fashion label, known throughout UK for collaborating with musicians and artists.
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