Leicester fancy dress shop closure sparks 'outpouring of love'

Paper Tiger closed in January

The closure of a fancy dress and party shop after more than 50 years in business sparked an "outpouring of love", the former owner has said.

Bimpe Adegun took over Paper Tiger in Cank Street, Leicester, in 2020 and was its third owner.

She told BBC Radio Leicester on Wednesday that she made the "devastating" decision to close the shop after more than three years of challenges, including the pandemic.

Paper Tiger closed on 29 January.

Ms Adegun said she stumbled across the shop while planning a celebration after moving to the city from Nigeria in 2009 to study a master's degree.

She said: "One of the things I love as a person is hosting parties. [Paper Tiger] was like heaven for me.

"When the opportunity came to buy it, honestly it was, I've had this dream for a long time, why not do it? I just went for it back in 2020."

'Face the truth'

However, Ms Adegun said the shop was "struggling" when she took over and she could not physically trade until April 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Ms Adegun had reviewed the business by January 2023 and decided it was time for "one last push", but in October, she knew she would have to make a decision soon.

She said customers kept coming in and telling stories or saying how happy they were that the shop was still going, but she ultimately had to "face the truth" and close.

"There comes a time for every business owner where you have to evaluate and ask yourself, can we carry on?" Ms Adegun added.

She said there was an "outpouring of love" after the closure was announced, but added: "I felt like I'd failed people having to close something that everyone seemed to love."

Bimpe Adegun described Paper Tiger as a "Leicester legacy"

Ms Adegun warned shoppers to support independent businesses.

She said: "We will live with that memory of the customers that we served, the happy moments that we had.

"At least we were a blessing to some customers for the years that it was open, whether that was me as the third owner or the previous owners.

"Each and every one of us has the memories that will stay with us."