The owner of a new independent gift shop in Hale says she will be bringing a “little bit of London” to the village.
Louise Duerr is opening G.I.F.T. – standing for Great Ideas, Fabulous Things – on November 20th in the Millfield Court unit previously occupied by estate agents Jackson-Stops and Staff.
Wigan-born Duerr, who has lived in Hale for 20 years, says her shop will provide something not currently on offer in the village.
“The idea is you’ll walk in, see things and be inspired. It can be so hard when it’s someone’s birthday or you’re going round for dinner and want to get a little something. We provide the solution.
“There’s a gap in the market in Hale for a shop like this. Obviously there are a couple of other shops that sell gifts but we’ll be selling things that aren’t available anywhere else locally.”
Such things will include candles and diffusers from Marmalade of London, Bluetooth beanies and baseball caps from Bluefingers Labs, children’s backpacks from BoBo Buddies and a selection of personalised ‘Hale’ products including cushions, mugs and cards.
Duerr completed on the site on October 16th and is currently fitting the shop out ahead of a launch party on November 19th. She was originally going to take a unit on Cecil Road but changed her mind when she saw the space available opposite the new Carluccio’s.
Below: The shop logo
It’ll be her first foray into retail after a bruising experience in her previous industry, food manufacturing.
Duerr ran baby food company Baby Deli for eight years until the company went into liquidation last year, forcing her to sell her Victoria Road house in order to pay off business debts.
She has dusted herself down, however, and is starting again in an industry she is certain will be more straightforward than her last.
“It’s very difficult to make any money in food,” she says. “There is a lot of competition from bigger companies and it’s difficult for small independents to survive.
“Food manufacturing is also onerous as there’s so much red tape, so the idea of buying something that is not perishable and just selling it is very appealing.”
Duerr, who’ll be running the shop by herself initially with a bit of help from her 13-year-old daughter, added that she was “very excited” about her new venture.
“I’m hoping it will bring a little bit of London or Brighton to Hale,” she added. “I can’t wait to get the stuff on the shelves and start selling it and showing off our great products.”
Below: Owner Louise Duerr with children Tally and Max
