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May 2008
Love the Lakes
Updated Friday 16th
May
At last we have realised our dream of owning
a shop in the Lake District, but obtaining premises is only
the start of the hard work. After months of
searching we have eventually found the ideal premises and the
deal is complete.
As a bit of background, Louise has worked in the gift
industry for a good few years being Sales Director then
General Manager of Colony, the UK's leading candle
company. Now it is time for a change and to work on the
'other side' in retail. The concept of our shop is quite
unique we feel and that is to sell gifts sourced, manufactured
and designed in the Lake District and Cumbria. I hope you
will watch the shop being transformed over the next couple
of weeks and eventually come and visit us in there when you
visit!
Where is Love the Lakes? It is on Ash Street
in Bowness
on Windermere. (That is the smaller Ash Street on the map
below).
View Larger Map
This is how the premises looked back in March when we
had an offer accepted. Both frontages belong to the shop which is in Ash Street, Bowness on Windermere.
We refer to the left hand side as the small shop and the right the main
one even though they are now knocked through into one.
Inside the shop, it was a real bazaar selling seemingly everything and
packed to the rafters.
The old counter area.
Not much room to move around in here!
The premises finally became ours on 1st May and all
that stock took a little bit longer than anticipated to move out by the
previous owners.
Monday 5th May
Bank Holiday Monday and the crowds were
out in force in Bowness as it was a lovely sunny day. We visited the
shop, now clear of stock but far from clear of old fixtures and
fittings. The shop fitters arrive tomorrow to begin work in earnest.
The small shop is now empty of stock.
The main shop looks huge now it is clear.
There is a great original slate
flagged floor in this side, that will definitely remain bit not much else
will. The real work starts tomorrow (Tuesday) as the shop fitters
are moving in for a couple of weeks to completely transform the
place.
Tuesday 6th May
The team were in nice and early and there
was more to clear out than we thought possible.
A cleared small shop.
Nice and light now with nothing in.
Getting ready to fit out. On the outside, the old awnings
have gone and inside the walls are ready to be battened out for
panelling.
Thursday 8th May
External painting in progress and the awnings have
gone.
The new counter area.
Bowness Bay - it was hot and busy here today.
Friday 16th May
The small shop, now partioned for a new stock room.
Counter area complete with Love the Lakes green
matchboard and low level display units.
Matchboard and slot shelving system being installed.
The exterior, painted as one now.
To be continued...
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