Date: 12/02/2008
Bringing up a young family on a budget can be a challenge - and a New Mills mother-of-three is putting her experience to good use.
Offering a wide range of products at affordable prices - one of the core principles of High Peak Borough Council's current 'Shop Smart Shop Local ' campaign - is a key priority at Fran Henderson's shop, Em and Ted, on Market Street, in Chapel-en-le-Frith.
Fran, who named her business after her two eldest children, now aged eight and five, is acutely aware of the need to provide the broadest possible choice at competitive rates for parents seeking both new and exchange items ranging from designer children's wear to high quality toys.
In fact, searching for a suitable lightweight pushchair, at a reasonable price, was what spurred her on to launching the business, three-and-a-half years ago. "I wasn't able to find one, and ended up borrowing one from a friend," said Fran, who previously worked as a training co-ordinator. "I decided that there must be other parents in the same boat, not only wanting pushchairs, but also other nursery equipment - and so Em and Ted was born."
Since then, the range of products Fran stocks has expanded to encompass new baby gifts, general gifts, new clothes for children up to 12 months old, cards, wrapping and jewellery - and includes a free gift wrapping service. The 'celebration' aspect of the business has grown to such an extent that Fran also now supplies helium balloons for all occasions, under the name 'Frantastic Balloons'.
The exchange service - which enables people to bring in items and buy others at prices they can afford - features prams, pushchairs, clothing for up to five-year-olds, maternity wear, toys, books, videos, DVDs and a variety of baby equipment ranging from walkers to travel cots.
Most of Fran's customers come from Chapel, Buxton, Chinley, Dove Holes, New Mills and Macclesfield, with tourists travelling over from the Hope Valley to buy items they may have forgotten to bring on holiday. Many are doting grandparents on the lookout for an everyday, practical item or a fun gift.
"Customers who shop locally make all the difference - without them, we wouldn't survive," said Fran. "Chapel has a really good sense of community. I always smile and say hello and goodbye to people when they come in the shop, and I think this makes us different from the larger stores, where the service isn't always so personal.
"We pride ourselves on offering a friendly and approachable shopping experience, which makes all the difference, as the majority of my customers come back time after time. Sometimes they just come in for a chat, which is really nice, and at other times they shop for a special occasion, such as a birth, christening or birthday."
Fran also goes the extra mile by keeping a list of items that customers want, so that she can ring them if a particular item comes in, and operating a family-focused 'notice board' on her front door. Window displays are also regularly changed to maintain customers' interest and encourage them to call in.
Chapel mother of three Helen Bunka has been a regular shopper at Em and Ted ever since it opened. With children ranging from age seven to seven months, she appreciates the broad range of new and exchange goods available.
"Fran and her staff are really nice, and you always get a friendly welcome, as well as some excellent bargains," she said. "Thanks to the exchange service, you can buy items that you wouldn't normally be able to afford brand new - and it's good for the environment, because they're re-used, rather than thrown away.
"I come in at least once or twice a week, and consider myself lucky to have such a brilliant shop on my doorstep. And because it's on a bus route, it's convenient for parents who might not have access to a car."
The 'Shop Smart, Shop Local' campaign in the Buxton and Central areas of High Peak aims to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of supporting local businesses. As part of the campaign, customers can collect a sticker each time they buy something in a participating shop and stick it on a passport.
Passports are available from shops taking part in the campaign, all High Peak Borough Council offices or in the current, Winter issue of the Council's Connect magazine. When one of the sections on the passport is full, it can be entered into a monthly prize draw if handed in at Buxton, Chapel, New Mills and Whaley Bridge Town Halls, Glossop Municipal Buildings, or posted to High Peak Borough Council, Hayfield Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith SK23 0QJ. Monthly prize draws will take place from now until March 2008.
Further information about the campaign, including tool kits full of marketing and promotional ideas and ways to encourage people to spend in local shops, are available from Helen Pakpahan, economic development officer, on 0845 129 77 77 / 01298 28400 or at helenp@highpeak.gov.uk.
Caption: Fran Henderson of Em and Ted, Chapel.