It was an eventful day in one of Letchworth’s shopping thoroughfares on Saturday, with the ribbon being cut on a new business – while another held a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
Town centre manager Tom Hardy and North Herts District Council chairman Alan Millard were in The Arcade with the customary giant scissors to formally open women’s and children’s fashion shop Beautique LGC.
Owner Lisa Santilli told the Comet that they had thought they might not get a single sale on the opening day, but ended up selling about a quarter of their stock.
Lisa said: “It was a really successful first day for us. The clothes have been really popular and we had a lot of positive feedback.
“People kept saying to us how there was nothing like this here before. All the people coming through gave the other shops extra footfall as well.
“The highlight of it all was catching up at the end of the day, having done so well. We didn’t think we’d sell one thing, but we sold just about a quarter of the shop.
“To finally get the shop open was amazing. We’ll be adding new styles each week and catering for all sizes – we’ll build on what the customers like.”
BID manager Tom Hardy added: “It was great to have to opportunity to cut the ribbon on yet another new shop.
“Beautique LGC offers a wide range of women’s and children’s clothing and is welcomed addition to the Arcade offer. This addition also means the Arcade is now 100 per cent let and full with an excellent selection of shops.
“If you find yourself in our town centre, be sure to take a walk down to the Arcade and discover the variety it has to offer.”
Just up the way at the ETC café, Kris Cooper, Andy Sowden and the rest of the team hosted an Alice in Wonderland-themed Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – with the council chairman and his wife popping in for a coffee after the ribbon-cutting.
ETC’s Kris Cooper said: “It was great seeing our regular and new customers enjoying the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party experience, decorations and delicious themed cakes.
“The Jammie Dodger Queen of Hearts cake was particularly popular. We will be doing the same next week for anyone who may have missed it.”
To find out more see facebook.com/beautiquelgc and facebook.com/etcessentialteaandcoffee.
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