A new gift shop, which hopes to “bring excitement back to the high street” opened in Whalley Road, Accrington.
Julie Hyatt opened A Bit O’Summat on Friday, November 4, and has had an ‘amazing’ response from locals so far.
On Thursday, Julie, who is also the owner of Barbara Kay shoes and accessories shop in Whalley Road, announced the exciting news of her new shop just two doors down to 6,200 people online.
Julie said: “I wanted to open up another shop because I just thought, if I do another nice shop on the block, then hopefully someone else will come along and take over the one that’s currently empty between Barbara Kay and here and start to turn the town around a little bit.
“I just want to bring back that excitement of walking down the high street because I think, especially after covid, people want to go back to seeing things and touching things.
"So, I think opening new shops with new things in, it encourages people to come back and support local and independent businesses.”
Julie has been running Barbara Kay for the last 18 years and specialises in selling unique shoes, as well as shoe dyeing and shoe customisation.
Her friend Gail used to have a shop called Lilac Interiors but it closed down two years ago.
When the shop closed, Julie started selling a range of cards, candles and a few gifts.
When the shop in Whalley Road became available to lease, Julie decided to open a gift shop so she could continue selling a wider range of gifts.
Julie added: “I think it’s nice for people to see that we’ve kept going with Barbara Kay which is a successful business, and seeing me putting the money back into town by opening up another shop.
“And it only takes one good business to encourage others to come and open up their own shop and give back to the community.
“It’s the little independent and local businesses like this that keeps the town going so it’s important that we try and keep the high street busy and I hope my shop can do that.”
A Bit O’Summat sells an assortment of different gift items like candles, lamps, cushions, mirrors, throws, and a mixture of much more.
The shop is also selling festive items like cards and tree ornaments so people can stock up for Christmas.
The shop will be open from 10am to 4pm on Monday and Wednesday, 10am to 5pm on Tuesday and Thursday, and 9.30am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday.
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