Customers fall in to take over shop
STEFAN JAJECZNYK
AN outdoor clothing shop owner has handed over control of his business to long-time customers and friends of the family - after three decades.
Keith Dawson opened The Fell and Mountain Shop in 1984, after being made redundant from his previous job at Carson’s camping centre in Accrington - where he worked for nine years.
He has now sold the outdoor clothing and equipment shop, on Water Street in Accrington, to the Daly family, who he has known for many years.
Claire Daly, 29, whose family grew up on Dill Hall Lane, said they were proud to be taking over Keith’s business, and she hopes that they can continue trading for another 33 years.
She said: “Keith’s a good friend of the family and he’ll be staying on in an advisory role.
“We want to try and expand, bring more brands and a wider range of products.”
Claire’s brother Luke is designing a new website for the firm at the moment and the pair want to expand their online presence while also getting more cus- tomers through the door.
Luke, 31, said: “This a fantastic business, and we are really excited to be launching a new website that will cover the UK and beyond, but we are also passionate about maintaining this local link that gives people the opportunity to come into store for advice on purchasing outdoor clothing from high end brands.”
Keith, 59, said it has been a “privilege” to serve the public over the past 33 years.
He believes the success of the business, which is one of the longest-running independent retailers in the town, is due to both its location and its reputation for stocking high-end, quality climbing clothing and equipment.
He said: “We have the Lakes, the Peak District, and the Yorkshire Dales all within an hour of here, so that definitely helps.
“It has been a privilege to serve such a varying range of customers who appreciate the quality of the high end brands.”
He added: “Luke works in IT and Claire has experience in retail and they’re coming in with a fresh approach.
“I actually grew up on the same street as their dad, Nicholas - so I’ve known the family for a long time.”
To mark the change in ownership, the store will be holding an open day event for new and returning customers on Saturday, September 2.