Ex-jeweller aims to make high street mobility store shine after take over in Lincolnshire
Having previously ran a high street jewellery shop, a local businesswoman in the Lincolnshire town of Market Rasen is to return to the high street after acquiring a local mobility shop.
Wendy Harrison had previously operated the Blue River Jewellery store in the town’s high street and has now returned, having taken on Rase Mobility, an independent mobility retailer.
As reported in the Market Rasen Mail, Wendy will now continue to offer the range of mobility products from Rase Mobility’s premises, as well as dedicating a small part of the shop to her handmade jewellery and crystals.
The acquisition of the mobility retailer comes as data from both PwC and the British Retail Consortium highlights the struggles facing Britain’s high streets in a retail landscape that is rapidly shifting.
Undeterred, Wendy told the local newspaper that she believes Market Rasen’s high street offers a lot of opportunity to the small town’s traders.
“We are very lucky in Market Rasen in that we don’t have loads of chain stores, but lots of independent traders who provide individual customer service,” she told the Market Rasen Mail.
“Yes, Market Rasen has a few empty shops at the moment, but when you travel around, you soon see that actually, we have far fewer empty shops than a lot of other places.
“We need to offer plenty of choice and then people will keep using their local high street, and businesses will have the confidence to take on the shops.”
Her sentiments echo many retailers that are thriving and expanding their operations on high streets across the UK.
“If I don’t have something in stock, I make sure I can order it, and let the customer know I care about what they need – that isn’t always possible in larger stores,” she added.