The pretty UK city with so many independents shops never close | UK | News

When people think of city breaks in the United Kingdom, places like York, Edinburgh and Bath usually come to mind. However, a small city in Lancashire, which is one of the beautiful rural and rugged coastline, can be the least thing that this country can offer.

Located from the Gulf of Morecambe, Lancaster has a rich history based on the Roman period. He was once in the Lancaster Castle, which once dominated the silhouette of the city. A series of important heritage buildings, including Dalton Square, the former Town Hall and the Customer House in St George’s Quay, now the Naval Museum, were built from Africa and West Indian islands and triangular slave trade in Georgian periods.

With a population of approximately 145,000 people, Lancaster has a reputable university and successful independent stores. It makes you feel comfortable when you walk around in the city.

“We are a little isolated city surrounded by green and sea, Lu says Luiza Woods, owner of Brew. He continued: “There is a very pleasant feeling that captures people in the town and wants them to stay.”

Brew, a coffee shop with Brunch cuisine, is one of the about 170 independent businesses in Lancaster. This figure, which includes hair and beauty salons, constitutes 67% of all businesses in the city.

“There is a thirst for independent businesses here,” 31 -year -old lady Woods said. “I think it depends on people living in Lancaster.

“People love the culture of Indie, which helps to develop independently. A small city, so the locals want to know who is in the cities of the locals and the owner of the shops.

“Many of our customers and staff know each other with each other.

Brew is proud to use local -based products. Mrs. Woods explains that he uses meat from a butcher just 200 meters away and a vegetable from a supplier 500 meters away.

He says: “We are on Brock Street here and God knows how much independent. But we all talk to each other. We all look for each other and recommend each other to people who do not know the region.

“Lancaster has enough customers around all businesses. Everyone is doing it very well, which means that the independent remains. There is no big business here.”

More Brock Street is Northern Dye House, a shop specialized in hand -painted T -shirts and clothes. The COVİD-19 opened during the locking and was proud to provide sustainable mode to the Lancaster people.

Rachel Hamilton-Southward, the owner of Northern Dye House, was born in Lancaster and believes that there are people who do the city of people. “We have a very pleasant and friendly place, a great community. Everyone is integrated and the local independent business scene is very similar.”

He continued: “Everyone has their backs. We have committees where the owners meet and discuss with something. If we have any problems, we support each other.”

While independent shops develop at Lancaster, 44-year-old Mrs. Hamilton-Southward admits that some major chains have been taken negatively by the local people. He says: “There are a few big chain shops like any city in Lancaster. But when a new one is opened, he grows up a little bit from the locals.

“Oh, it’s not another big chain, but another big retailer.” When the primark was opened, it grumbled too much.

Northern Dye House takes advantage of a series of loyal customers who help keep the shopping scene alive in the city. “They want to keep the money in the city,” Mrs. Hamilton Southward adds.

In addition to shops, many tourists decide to visit Lancaster because of their rich history and architecture. Albanian paving streets are covered with Georgian buildings exploding with character.

Lancaster Castle, a building listed in the first grade, sits on a hill overlooking the city center. It dates back about 1000 years and is defined by the British heritage as “not only the most important historical and archaeological monument of the North-West, but also internationally important”.

The castle has been restored in recent years and is now open to the public. There are also wage tours and Lancaster’s crime date gives an idea about the penalties and law enforcement officers.

To the east of the city center, there is a 54 -acre park area and the forest area Williamson Park. The MoreCamble Gulf and Lake District Fells offer striking landscapes.

The park also hosts the Ashton Monument listed in the 1st grade. The monument, 150 meters tall, was built by Lord Ashton, Lord Ashton, in 1909 as a praise for his late wife Jessy.

On the first floor, there is an open -air imaging gallery that offers visitors to the magnificent panoramic views of Lancashire. It is also used as a wedding venue.

“People like to visit shops, but there are great centers of attraction,” Deborah Hargreaves said. Says. “People come from afar to visit the Lancaster Castle.”

The 69 -year -old Miss Hargreaves lives in Lancaster and works at the Penny Street Collectables in the city center. In addition to local attraction centers, Lancaster says that he benefits from being close to the Lake Zone.

“We are popular for tourists because we are not far from the lakes. So people usually swing to Lancaster for a Mooch. Many of them decide to go back and spend their money. They love the diversity here.”

It is not the only old generation that supports independent stores in Lancaster. According to Mrs. Hargreaves, university students and young people play a major role to ensure that the city continues to develop.

“Students also love here.

Reflecting the comments of Mrs. Hamilton-Southward about larger chain stores, Mrs Hargreaves adds: “The store owners in Lancaster are very friendly. You don’t buy it in larger stores because you are a normal customer.

One of the oldest businesses in Lancaster is Gregory Williams butchers. Located in the heart of the city, James Lane has been running for more than 80 years and is now in the fourth generation family.

Before moving to the store, it started at the Lancaster Market. Ronda Ingleby, 52, has been working in The Butcher since the age of 13 and acknowledges that the business must be adapted to survival for decades.

“We had to move a lot with Times,” he explains. “Nowadays, people want more suitable food, so we need to offer completely different products from supermarkets.”

Unlike supermarkets, Gregory Williams Butchers offers customers the chance to give certain orders.

“We give people the chance to buy something specific, perhaps as they see a chef on TV or in a restaurant.” “In the supermarket, they can get a package of ground beef or cheap fillet, but if they want something like a Chateaubriand or so, we can list it.

“This really works in our favor. Now school holidays, so we cook more sausage rolls. There are a lot of children who love them.”

“I think Lancaster offers a good balance of independent retailers. I think it’s something that other towns have lost.

“People will always come to visit Primark or Marx and Spencer, but they will stay for the small ones for us. And we have many.”

Renes Fashion, a women’s clothing store, is another store that has been operating in Lancaster for decades. It was founded in 1975 and has been sold for nearly 40 years from the current site in Common Garden Street.

Like Gregory Williams butchers, the store’s success came from strict work and numerous changes. Tiffany Moore, the owner of Renes Fasion, says the store is first known for wedding dresses, but now offers a broader range of clothes.

“We offer a really personal service because they know that customers who come for years will come and find something perfect for them.” “They know that we always say the truth and provide a great service.

“I don’t think you’ve got this shopping online. Today I had to send it back online with a customer because they’re not correct or not.

“They can come here and try the clothes and see how they fit. They instantly know that they are perfect for them instantly.”

Lancaster University acknowledges that students are great help. “Students help to keep the city alive as they come from all over England. They help to develop shops.

“We have a lot of wonderful small shops that give a reason to visit Lancaster. People can go in and get a shop, get a dinner or drink bite. We have everything.”