Name: Ismay Evans

Business name: Ismay's Ladies Clothing

Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10-3pm (subject to change after lockdown)

Address: 16 High St, Ellesmere SY12 0EP

When did you open your business and why?

I was made redundant in 2014 from a clothing store here in Ellesmere and I'd been in the business since 2000.

I was wondering what I was going to do as I was the manager when the shop closed, but the store here in the High Street was available to rent, so thought now is the time and go alone.

It was a scary prospect and I absolutely love it.

Why in this location?

It was available but when I came to look at it, and as soon as i walked in, it just felt right. It's a little shop with a lovely feel to it.

It's a bit of a boutique after being in a department store, it's just the right size for me and it's definitely everything I would want from a shop.

It's just the right size and it's not too far from the centre of Ellesmere; a lot of my previous customers carried on and came to me so I've been supported by the town.

The shop itself is a little bit quirky – it's on two levels and it's just perfect for me.

Tell us about the business

It's ladies clothing.

I started selling ex-High Street but now I predominantly sell ladies Italian clothing which is free size – anything from an eight to 10 all the way up to a 30/32.

I have a wide range of sizes and I especially wanted to sell plus size because I'm a big girl myself, and it's difficult to get hold of.

I also sell accessories – handbags, jewellery, scarves plus I also sell my sister's – Kate Bright – bespoke fascinators.

She's down in Somerset but I'm her outlet for fascinators.

I am my own picker and it's not a flexibility I had in my previous job. The stock just arrived and I was able to tell the managers what sold or didn't.

But with the Italian clothing, it's what more people want.

I also sell tickets to events and functions when they will restart.

What is your proudest moment?

Just knowing that i have got the support of the town – that makes me so proud.

I get feedback from people about my windows, I get feedback on Facebook too and when I get that, it really does make me feel proud.

Any strange requests?

I've always said from the start that i would keep men's pyjamas in case anyone ever got caught short.

But hand on heart, I don't think I've had any strange requests since we opened.