Shop expansion offers hope for Cathedral Quarter
The owners of a Cathedral Quarter gift shop say the opening of their new vintage-style clothing boutique indicates a shift in the economic climate.
This time last year many retailers in the area were facing up to a grim Christmas as the effects of the credit crunch began to bite.
But one year on, Nic and Linda Stone, who own Fraiche, in Sadler Gate, have proved things are on the way up by opening a second shop in nearby Strand Arcade, creating two new jobs.
The clothing shop, Fraiche Boutique, which opened last week, offers a range of elegant and sophisticated women’s wear.
Mr Stone said: “The Cathedral Quarter has been hit by the credit crunch; the lowest point for us was probably November last year.
“But we had faith that things would pick up and since Christmas things have been improving slowly.
“We decided that now was the right time to expand the business because the economic climate seems to be improving.
