A FAMILY-RUN shop is celebrating three decades of helping brides-to-be dazzle on their big days.
Aristocrats of Chester, run by Jayne Buist, of Little Sutton, started selling bridalwear in Godstall Lane, Chester, in 1982.
And, 30 years and three recessions later, the business is still going from strength to strength.
Jayne, a former Miss Chester, puts the secret of the shop’s success down to ‘a lot of hard work over the years’.
She said: “I love selling dresses and I love people being happy. We always try to go the extra mile with people.
“But there’s a lot more behind the scenes that people don’t realise. We are always running around taking dresses to seamstresses.”
Aristocrats opened its doors in 1982 with then 24-year-old Jayne, her 16-year-old sister Gaynor and mum Hazel at the helm.
Jayne said: “When we first opened we had an entrepreneur’s allowance under Thatcher’s Government. It was £40 a week and we just ploughed it back into the shop.
“We worked seven days a week and we did every fashion show we could.
“Because we were very successful, we were recommended to be on prime -time ITV news on budget day two years on the trot.”
Jayne’s daughters Philippa, 22, and Caroline, 19 – now a model – have also both lent a hand on the shop floor.
“Obviously now we’re serving the daughters of the people we served back when we opened,” added Jayne.
The milestone anniversary comes in the month Cheshire West and Chester Council christened Godstall Lane the ‘Romantic Heart of the City’.
“We’ve been here a long time and we’ve had shops open and close around us,” said Jayne. “I can only put it down to having the right stock. It’s down to the staff we have had over the years as well. I would really like to thank them all.”
Aristocrats of Chester stocks more than 300 wedding dresses, along with headdresses, prom dresses, veils, petticoats and shoes.
For more information about the shop and upcoming events, visit the store at 27 Werburgh Chambers, Godstall Lane, or call 01244 317587.
