A new designer clothes shop has opened in Stokesley - bringing top brands to the town centre.
Stafford and Wilson, which opened on the High Street in the town on Wednesday, August 21, boasts brands like Napapijri, Lyle & Scott, Ma:Strum, and Marshall Artist, and Weekend Offender, as well as some indie brands that are harder to find locally like Terrace Cult & DML.
Selling both men's designer clothes and women's fast fashion, the shop has already started pairing with some of the biggest clothing names in the business, as well as unique and smaller brands in the UK.
Enjoying a successful start to life in Stokesley, the owners of the new business, Mike and his husband Ryan, both from Middlesbrough, have reflected on life in Stokesley almost two weeks after opening the shop.
Mike said: "We opened a couple of weeks ago, and also had a charity event on August 17, which had a catwalk show. It was also here that we announced we'd be selling women's clothes, which had previously been under wraps. We've so far had a 50/50 split of serving men and women.
"We've enjoyed a great start to life in Stokesley. Both me and Ryan enjoy fashion, and that's helped us connect with brands that wouldn't normally be stocked in small independent shops.
"We have the approach in the shop that we'll help any customer that needs us but we don't want to be those shop owners that are constantly pestering the customer. We want people to enjoy the shop leisurely and take their time looking at items."
The business is Mike and Ryan's second, having already launched the award-winning digital marketing agency, Duo Digital.
They hope to use skills from this marketing business to help boost trade in the shop.
After moving into the listed building, the couple had to secure planning permission for changing the paint and signage, but now say they have got the shop to where they want it.
Mike added: "Stokesley is an up-and-coming market town and had no designer clothes shops and we listened to the locals who were crying out for a designer clothes shop in the town.
"Stokesley has been brilliant for us – it wasn't on our radar initially. We looked at Yarm, Middlesbrough, Darlington, but after driving through Stokesley and spending time here, we've made the right decision."
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