A GRIMSBY couple have taken the plunge to start their own fashion store.
Alex Scales and her husband Garry were facing an uncertain future for employment.
Alex, who works for the council was concerned for her job due to cuts, and Garry, who worked as a scaffolder, says the work available was getting less and less.
The couple have opened their first shop in East St Mary's Gate, Grimsby, called With Love From Italy, following the success of their market stall.
The idea to create a new business came from Alex's friends at work, who often enquired where she bought her clothes.
Alex said: "I have always looked for unique and boutique-style clothing.
"I would often be asked 'where did you buy that? It looks really nice.'
"When Garry and I were facing the prospect of unemployment we decided we needed to act fast to secure our future.
"I asked my work colleagues if I was to bring some clothes in would they be interested in buying them, and they all responded yes.
"So we bought a few pieces and they all sold.We thought this could be a good little business."
Garry says they started out with very little.
"We borrowed £700 to buy a bulk order of clothing from a wholesaler and we set up a stall on Top Town Market.
"The stock soon sold and we were able to buy more with the profits we had made and offer a bigger and better range of clothing.
"The business just snowballed from there and now here we are just a few months down the road and we have been able to open up our very own shop."
"We took the plunge and the risk and it has really paid off.
"And now we are looking to the future to develop the shop and the market stall.
"Just a few months ago we would never have imagined we would be here today."
Alex hopes to bring the boutique-style fashion wear to the average shopper.
She said: "We sell high-quality Italian designer clothing at a reasonable price.
"We stock boutique fashion and accessories, but we do not want to alienate the average shopper.
"You can walk into some boutique shops and feel lost but here we hope people will feel comfortable to browse at their pleasure.
"We still have our stall on the market selling clothes and now with our new shop we can sell accessories and so much more as well."
Find the shop on Facebook by searching for With Love From Italy.
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