NEXT UP, IN A CHIC LITTLE NUMBER, IT’S ... EDWINA CURRIE!
Former MP offers to model to celebrate boutique’s 100th sale!
EX-MP Edwina Currie is to turn ladies’ fashion model – to mark a shop’s global online success.
The former minister has made the offer as Steve Lanza and Jason Smith celebrate their 100th Facebook sale – which they credit with saving their clothing business during lockdown.
Each week, hundreds of customers – from places as far-flung as Spain, Italy, Cyprus, the USA and Japan – log on to snap up a little something from their Leek business, Mosaic.
Steve and Jason, right, who are based in Sheepmarket, say they now are ‘busier than ever’.
It’s all a far cry from the first lockdown in March 2020, when the pair feared restrictions imposed in the wake of the Covid pandemic would send them out of business.
Now, as the shop is to stage its 100th sale next week, Mrs Currie has offered to drop in to model some outfits, while Steve and Jason’s friend Simon Gregson – Steve Mcdonald in Coronation Street – is also to visit the town.
Steve said: “Three weeks into the first lockdown we were worried about the business as we could be closed for at least three months and this would have a big effect on us.
“Then I had the idea of holding sale nights on Facebook. We agreed to try one and the first attracted 90 people, then the following week 250. This then kept increasing until one night we had 900 people viewing.
“They were proving very popular and at one stage we were finding it hard to keep up, as we had to go to the wholesalers more often. It has made the business busier than ever.
“We sell ladies’ clothes with sizes from eight to 26. The sales have now gone worldwide and we have customers in Spain, Italy and Cyprus. We have also had people viewing from the USA and Japan.”
Jason added: “We have never been so busy. It is the best thing we have ever done. It has also brought more footfall into the town as we have had bus loads of people visiting the shop.
“They then use other shops and restaurants in the town so it helps the town’s economy.
“It has also given us a better quality of life and we open the shop just two days a week on Fridays and Saturdays, but can open in the week for appointments.”
When people buy items on the sale night, they can collect the items from the shop, or the business offers free delivery in the local area. For people living farther away the items are bagged and posted.
Steve added: “We have arranged trips for our customers to Blackpool and also to the Tower ballroom. It brings people together so they meet and chat to one another. We are going to arrange three more trips this year.
“This whole experience has been a life-changing thing and has enhanced the town by bringing more people in.”
Steve and Jason normally hold sales each Thursday, but to celebrate their centenary they are holding three, on May 10, 12 and 13.