High street space for thriving designer

A new high street base means Lucy Locket Design can showcase her imaginative wares '“ and get her home back too.
Lucy Suddaby of Lucy Locket Design is about to move into Lowtown after outgrowing her workshop at home.Lucy Suddaby of Lucy Locket Design is about to move into Lowtown after outgrowing her workshop at home.
Lucy Suddaby of Lucy Locket Design is about to move into Lowtown after outgrowing her workshop at home.

INNOVATIVE ideas are what’s needed to keep our high streets busy and thriving – and there’s no shortage of those from one of Pudsey’s newest retailers.

Lucy Suddaby of Lucy Locket Design is about to move into Lowtown after outgrowing her workshop at home. Such is the demand for her bespoke clothing, wedding dresses, children’s clothing and furniture, the front room of her house where the business began just over a year ago, can no longer cope.

She says shoppers and other retailers in the busy town centre have already made her feel more than welcome.

Lucy Locket Design began life when Lucy gave up her job in Harrogate when her son started school.Lucy Locket Design began life when Lucy gave up her job in Harrogate when her son started school.
Lucy Locket Design began life when Lucy gave up her job in Harrogate when her son started school.

“There’s a real buzz there,” said Lucy. “I’ve been doing up the shop before I move in and everyone that passes wants to know what the business is all about. I already feel like a part of a great business community where everyone is looking out for one another and everyone wants businesses to do well and make the town centre something really special.”

Lucy Locket Design began life when Lucy gave up her job in Harrogate when her son started school. Working from home gave the 29-year-old more flexibility and although she had no idea how successful it was likely to be, quality family time was more important.

Because Lucy prides herself on never saying no to a project, the business has grown faster that she dared imagine.

“The clothing and wedding dresses have really taken off just through word of mouth and my Facebook page, but I’ve also branched out into furniture – book cases and toy boxes, for instance, that I make myself and the add covers or fabric storage units to go with them.

Lucy Locket Design began life when Lucy gave up her job in Harrogate when her son started school.Lucy Locket Design began life when Lucy gave up her job in Harrogate when her son started school.
Lucy Locket Design began life when Lucy gave up her job in Harrogate when her son started school.

“And I’ve also had some unusual requests, like the mum of a disabled boy who asked me to make brightly coloured covers for her son’s leg braces so that they look funky and he can actually enjoy wearing them.

“I never say no, so I have all sorts of projects on the go,” she added. “I really needed shop premises where I have the space to work and meet with clients.”

Specialist business agent Ernest Wilson & Co in Leeds not only found the premises for Lucy but also helped her secure the funding she needed to buy them, advising on start-up loans and Business Enterprise funding so that she could afford to expand.

“For someone just starting out and without much business experience, it was fantastic to have someone with me every step of the way,” said Lucy. “They gave me so much support and advice, it’s transformed my business and set me up to keep building on what I’ve already started.”

Established in 1956, Ernest Wilson & Co assists clients with the purchase and sale of businesses, offering agency services, finance options and support throughout the sale process. Find out more by calling 0113 238 2900 or visit the website www.ernest-wilson.co.uk