Former care worker opens South Shields clothes shop

Oct 12 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A FORMER care worker has found a niche in the fashion market for older ladies and has started her own business to meet what she says is a shrinking need.

Lynda Ennis opened up Elegant Fashions in South Shields to serve a whole generation of customer that she reckons is being bypassed by the high street.

She said: “I have worked in the care sector for more than 20 years, and as people get older their bodies do tend to shrink, so they encounter problems finding clothes which not only fit them but which are also practical.

“My customers need simple but important things like pockets on their clothes and easy-to-use zips and with my free measuring service these are proving very popular.

“I launched Elegant Fashions to provide these practical clothes for all occasions which ladies find hard to come by on any high street.”

In addition to the shop, Ms Ennis is running clothing parties at care homes, care organisations and sheltered accommodation.

She said: “We all know that the retail sector is being hardest hit during the downturn, which is why I have diversified my specialist mobile party service.

“I love running my own business and although it is a challenge, I look forward to a bright future fitting the mature ladies in our region perfectly.”

She worked with Business Enterprise North East to put her idea together and received funding from South Tyneside Means Business.