Love the Lakes

The story...

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 in and see 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).

 
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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 partitioned 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.

Tuesday 20th May

The main shop, the counter is there but not fixed but all the matchboard and base units are in, painting ongoing.

The 'little' shop is nearing completion, the flooring is down complete with protective cover and the matchboard and base units are complete.

The outside has been painted again, the first colour (see above) was wrong and so is this - try again tomorrow! The drainpipe will be painted white too.

Friday 23rd May

Let there be light! The left side of the shop is complete and the stock is out - lots of delicious local foods and (of course!) Lake District books. The revised Wainwrights are stocked and Bill Birkett was here yesterday so I got him to sign his collection too, including the Complete Lakeland Fells. Let me know if you want a signed one of those saving. There'll be some of my prints and cards here soon, too.

The main area is finished too, just a few boxes to unpack!

It's looking good though and we are pleased with the end result.

The exterior in yet another colour - that's the right one now - just the signage to complete tonight.

Saturday 24th May

Today was the day it all came together and we finally opened the doors to customers, a little over 3 weeks since we took over the shop. We are still not 100% complete but not far from it. Trade was brisk today in busy Bowness and it was great to get a positive response and feedback from locals and visitors alike. See you there soon! (p.s I will get back to doing some walks when things settle a little).

The signs are up and graphics on the windows.

That looks like Miss Connie McMahon exiting the building!

Customers!

James, Connie and Louise enjoy work at the till - a family business indeed.

See what we sell on line - www.lovethelakes.net

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