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Vanilla, Whitehaven's Latest News, Views and Information

ABOUT VANILLA
The business has been established for nearly 6 years and has developed in to a highly successful fashion retail outlet. There is a mix of Contemporary and Designer clothing aimed at an age group with disposable income, that require high quality fashion from lots of different occasions from Weddings to Christenings, Cruises to Holidays, Casual Wear to Smart Dress and even to supplying made to measure corsetry for the ‘Girls Night Out' or for bridal underwear.
 
Vanilla has a most desirable shop frontage with excellent display windows and room for 5 mannequins. There is ample space as you would expect from a boutique with real pine wooden varnished flooring and 2 curtained changing areas. There is luxurious seating for visitors and weary shoppers with a well positioned Leather Chesterfield Couch and Fashion TV on tap..
 
There is a mix of regular customers that return time and time again as well as new customers each week and web-based customers.
The business is being sold as a going concern. All fixtures and fittings will be sold with the business, stock can be negotiated - so what you see is what you will get! It is just ready for the next new owner to step straight into.
 
There are 3 levels to the building all accessible by a traditional spiral staircase. The business has only operated transactions from the ground floor since the start, but the new owner may wish to expand onto the upper 2 floors. Many ideas such as ‘menswear', ‘childrens-wear' and / or ‘Beauty' Salon may indeed be options if required. Planning permission for ‘retail' has been granted for all 3 levels. Any plans for expansion would obviously be subject to agreement from the Landlord.
 
The boutique currently stocks over 30 different brands of clothing and each buying season realizes new, exciting and profitable brands and fashions. The buying experience is truly the fun part of running your own fashion business and it is even more rewarding when you can see that your customers enjoy what you buy too. Guidance, advice and even shadowing on this aspect will be given to the buyer if required.
 
GROUND FLOOR
26ft x 17ft with standing wardrobe units, work station, deep set windows & old original sink trough feature
MIDDLE FLOOR
Store Room : 16ft X 10ft still housing the visible warehouse door (now covered with billboard). One large window. Used as Stock room / Internet workstation
OFFICE : 12ft x 10.5ft With 2 windows—lots of natural light, telephone socket and doors leading to ;Kitchen : 6.5ft x 5.5ft with steel sink unit and drainer, work surfaces and economical Prisma combi boiler. Gents WC & Ladies WC both with extractor fans and hand wash basins
TOP FLOOR
29ft x 16.5ft Exposed beams and stone walls. Original floorboards and warehouse doors. 3 windows. Currently used as storage space.
 
The buying seasons tend to be split into predominantly twice per year with in-season buying depending upon your budget and demand. All advice and questions on this can be given at time of viewing. The business has built up a good supportive working relationship with all it's suppliers. All information and contacts will be handed over with the business sale as smoothly as possible.
 
SERVICES : Mains Water, Drainage, Gas & Electricity
 
DIRECTIONS: Close to mini roundabout at the entrance to Whitehaven's Market Place
RENT : approx £560 per month including Building Insurance
RATES: approx £81 per month
ELEC/GAS PER 1/4 : approx £250
 
Overheads are low on this business which means that profits can be maximized especially if the shop were to trade on a 7 day week. Currently trade a 4.5 day week with a half day taken on a Monday and a full day taken on a Sunday and Wednesday.
 
CHANGING AREAS X 2:
WEBSITE www.corsets-lingerie.co.uk
 
The last 2 years has seen the highest levels of online trading and in order to keep up with the world wide web, Vanilla went online after only one year into trading. The website has a capacity to hold 500 separate pages and currently sells everything that you can also see in store. Approx 25% per year of trade comes through from website sales. Its always nice to come to work and already have sales waiting for you.
 
WEBSITE HOSTING : £399.00 Per Annum This is to the Cumbria Business Portal (Artemis Media) who set this site up.
 
(Set up costs not included—approx £12K. This website is my most valuable member of staff—full training can be provided.