'Our local shops make Christmas shopping personal'

Maisy Bland, 25, took over the running of family business Jake Shoes aged 21

After years of people buying Christmas gifts online from their sofa, independent shop owners in the North West have said they are now witnessing a return to the high street for a "traditional Christmas shopping experience".

Shops in the region have said "the personal touch" is the driving force that is encouraging people to shop locally during the festive season.

"People are having an experience rather than just coming out to get what they need and go home," Maisy Bland from Greater Manchester footwear store Jake Shoes said.

"Altrincham has changed massively in recent years, now we've got a really good range of nice places to eat, places to get drinks and of course the marketplace."

Family-run Jakes Shoes first opened in 1975

Now in its third generation of family ownership, Jake Shoes is celebrating 50 years on the high street.

Twenty-five-year-old Maisy Bland now heads up the operation which was first started by her grandmother in 1975 and has shops in Altrincham and Stockport.

She said while independent businesses face tough competition from big chains it was the personal touch and sense of community which keeps their customers coming back.

"I think we've got quite a unique offering that does set us apart," she said.

"We've got customers who have shopped with us for 50 years who are loyal to us and bring their kids in and their grandkids."

"They trust us and they know that we've got what they want and are carrying on our family's tradition.

"At least once a week someone will come in and say 'you are Jake's daughter aren't you', which is really nice."

Jane McNally said people were now seeking a 'personal shopping experience'

Ms Bland said she felt it was "an achievement to be on the high street for so long" and said long established relationships with both suppliers and customers had definitely helped.

"We've seen a change in trends over the past 10 years as more people shop online but I do think that with footwear people want to come in and try their shoes on," Maisy said.

Jane McNally said independent shops give an 'extra little personal experience'

This is echoed by Jane McNally owner of fashion store Want That Dress in Prescot, Merseyside.

Jane has had a shop in the heritage area of Prescot town centre for the past four years and recently moved to a bigger premises.

"I think the women in and around Liverpool tend to be a little bit more daring with their fashion anyway, with colour and style," she said.

The former professional musician and teacher said she had "always loved fashion" and had a "love affair" with styles from Spain and Marrakech.

'Very blessed'

She said she had been able to build a loyal following of customers, many of whom also travel miles to visit her shop which she put down to the "old-fashioned shopping experience.

"People are starting to come back into the town and supporting small businesses because they do get that extra little personal experience," she said.

"We're very blessed that customers are seeking us out and looking for us, which just blows me away every time."

She said it was an exciting time to be in Prescot as it was undergoing a lot of regeneration work and said the Shakespeare North Playhouse had helped put the town on the map.

"We've got lots of heritage buildings, we've got the theatre and we've got lots of green shoots, lots of new businesses popping up," she said.

"Prescot is a beautiful town."

Dawn Stansfield said customers want to "see and touch the product"

In Lancashire fabric and wool shop owner Dawn Stansfield said it was the chance to work directly with the public that led to her opening her shop Mimi and Bee in Darwen.

"The support of local people has made my business thrive," she said.

Dawn had started selling fabric online the month before the first Covid lockdown after running a small business making clothes.

"Everybody was buying cotton at the time because they were wanting to buy masks and we really got quite established then," she said.

Ms Stansfield said the support of local people had helped her business thrive

She decided to open a shop premises after starting to teach sewing and crochet as she needed a place she could engage with her customers.

"I like working with the public," she said.

"The biggest comment we get is, it's so nice to have somewhere where you can come and actually see the product and touch the product.

Although she said running the shop is "the hardest work I've ever done in my life" she has found local people "so supportive".

"I've been very, very well supported by the people in Darwen because they've made the difference between me being able to do it and not because of how they are supporting me," she said.