Closing time for one of Britain’s fashion trailblazers

Often proclaimed as one of the best independent fashion retailers in Britain, Pollyanna also claims to be its oldest, after being set up by Rita Britton in 1967 when she was 23.

The first boutique, in a dank basement with blacked-out windows, was a success, and the business grew. Its fifth, and last, location a Georgian townhouse, even includes a restaurant.

But after suffering a stroke earlier this year, Rita and her husband Geoff have decided to close the four-storey boutique on Market Hill and concentrate on their bespoke fashion line, Nomad.

The announcement was met with an outpouring of grief from the fashion world, and from closer to home.

Mrs Britton said: “I’ve been absolutely gobsmacked with the reactions from people. People often wonder what it would be like to go to their own wake, but that’s what it was like at Pollyanna on Saturday. The place was heaving, there were people in tears and there wasn’t a bottle of wine left in the place.

“I’ve met royalty and prime ministers, but what’s really got to me is the warmth and love of the Barnsley people. It’s stopped me in my tracks.”

She’s received text messages from British designer Ben de Lisi‎ and celebrity hairdresser Josh Wood, and even the mayor of Barnsley and local MP Dan Jarvis called in to say goodbye.

Pollyanna was a trailblazer in the fashion stakes, and one of the first stores to stock designers likes Comme des Garcons and Issey Miyake.