Owner of The Pud Store, St Mark's Place, Newark, calls on public's support not just for Christmas but for the future

A children's shop owner has called on the Newark public's support not just for Christmas, but for the future of retail.

Fran Bishop, of The Pud Store, St Mark's Place, said if people still want a high street, the support of local businesses needs to be continuous — not just backed over the festive period.

The children's clothing store re-opened again on Wednesday of last week, having been closed for months since the first lockdown.

"Newark has been our home for four years and is well-established, and I hope people have missed us," said Fran, a former star of Lord Alan Sugar's The Apprentice.

"But this is not just about supporting us retailers for Christmas, it's for the future in general. It's not an overnight thing.

"Yes, the town centre is changing but we cannot let it go that far. People will lose their favourite shops."

Fran said she noticed a dramatic loss in footfall in the weeks running up to the first lockdown, and that trade still hadn't returned to what it once was.

She said: "After the first lockdown we had a lot of outdated stock so we shifted that online, to open the store with as much new stuff as possible.

"This was a difficult decision but I am glad I followed my gut because we were then put into Tier 3 and another lockdown.

"Retailers all support each other but we need to get the public on board too. When you buy from local independent shops you are putting into the local economy.

"Even a like or share on Facebook — it's all the little things that do help.

"But sometimes you do feel like crying because when we first came to Newark it was hustling and bustling."

Fran added she is doing what she can to adapt and appeal to more customers. She has diversified her stock at her shoppers' requests; now selling prams, wellies and snowboots and has got 1,700 products on her website.

She said: "Our customers in Newark have been brilliant, but people need to understand they have got to support us.

"Even by buying a hair bow or pair of socks, we really need their help."

This Christmas, The Pud Store is giving shoppers the chance to win a £250 voucher to spend in store. A winner will then be randomly selected on Christmas day, receiving a digital voucher code.

All you need to do is enter the draw at thepudstore.com/