Chester’s first clothing alterations and tailoring centre, the ZipYard, has been officially opened by The Lord Mayor of Chester Jill Houlbrook.
Cllr Houlbrook, chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Council, performed the ceremony by unzipping a specially made giant 6ft zip.
Owned by Shama Perveen, the ZipYard is a new concept in garment alterations and tailoring services. Located on Frodsham Street, the centre offers a fast, professional clothing repair service with on-site seamstresses and private changing rooms in a clean, retail environment.
Shama, 44, holds a PHD in chemistry and was a teacher at Urmston Grammar School in Manchester for eight years before deciding to pursue a life-long ambition to run her own business.
The inspiration to set up ZipYard Chester came from being a customer at ZipYard in Altrincham.
Shama, who lives is Knutsford, liked what she saw, and set about looking for the ideal location to open her own centre.
She said: “I discovered the ZipYard in Altrincham a couple of years ago, and as the mother of three fast-growing children it seemed I was always having to get their clothes taken up or let down.
“I thought the concept was just brilliant and could see myself being the owner of a ZipYard centre.
“I really enjoyed teaching but the time was right for me to take on a new challenge and the ZipYard seemed to tick all the right boxes.
“There’s a real demand for quality alterations and repairs in this area and I’m sure local people will love the centre and the services we offer. No appointments are necessary and we’ve got private fitting rooms so we can do any measuring right here.
“Most people don’t have the time or skills to repair or alter their own clothes and so many good garments are going to waste just hanging in the wardrobe. Now they can bring these in and we’ll give them a new lease of life.”
“Our seamstresses are amazing – if it can be done they can do it!”
