A BRIDAL and prom showroom has relocated to fit a gap in the market.

Lake District Bridal and Prom showroom has moved from its previous premises on Croslands Park, Barrow, to its new venue on Upper Brook Street, Ulverston.

Owner Jayne Stewart said there are no current bridal or prom wear shops in the area so jumped at the chance to move.

The 48-year-old welcomed customers to her new store yesterday for the first time.

Jayne said: “My first day has been great. I love it. It’s been a huge investment but I have reinvested this year's revenue into it. It’s nice to see people coming into store again after the past 18 months we’ve had with COVID."

Jayne first started her business in 2003 and has been in the bridal industry for 18 years now.

She later invested in prom wear when they started to become popular around 2008 and that now makes up 50 per cent of the business.

Jayne said: “I used to be a retail manager but later in life had the inspiration to go alone so I jumped the gun and started my own business.

“It hasn’t been a bed of roses with the internet now being more accessible.

“The internet wasn’t particularly accessible back in the day so it was a positive for independent business owners when customers could only go into a shop.

“However when the internet first went off, jobs dropped off and people bought things online.

“I just think the whole experience of buying a wedding or prom dress from a store is nothing comparable. You get personal service and everything that comes with it. The whole atmosphere of selecting a dress, trying it on and even bringing people with you.

“It’s just as easy as a click of a button now but it never looks the same. It’s better to come into store and not waste your money sending things back.”

Jayne hopes to increase her stock continuously especially in the mother of the bride range and said she cannot wait to see what the future holds.

For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/Lake-District-Bridal-Prom-104053451798219/.