A Congleton business owner has said she felt a “bittersweet” mix of excitement and relief after deciding to close the doors of her High Street shop.
Sophie Bursnoll opened 130 Atelier bridal boutique in the “Chronicle’s” former front-facing “shop” on High Street as lockdown measures started to ease in 2021.
But four years on, she said a combination of family circumstances and financial pressures had led her to the “very difficult decision” to bring her business to an end.
She said: “I used to work in television costume, and I loved the fitting side of it, but by the time covid hit it became really stressful. I hadn’t been enjoying it and I was looking for a way out.
“When my dad passed away six years ago, I decided to rejig everything and find something where I could transfer my skills.”
After considering becoming a pet groomer or a sports therapist, she settled on opening a bridal shop.
She said: “My friend was planning her wedding at the time, and I’d always loved the Disney movie ‘Enchanted’, where she makes a dress out of curtains, so I think watching that during covid inspired me.”
Miss Bursnoll said despite having no previous experience of running a shop, she was able to use her spare time during the pandemic to put together a business plan and opened in August 2021.
She said: “I opened on the Saturday and my friend came in for an appointment on the Monday – it was surreal seeing her in her dress – I was a blubbering mess!”
Attending bridal shows, finding brides their perfect dresses and working with her mum, Miss Bursnoll said, meant that she had “absolutely loved” her job, but in recent times, people were choosing more intimate weddings.
“I’m all for that, it’s what I would want to do if I got married, but it’s a sign of the times,” she said.
“There are so many overheads that you just don’t think about. My music licence renewal came up at end of July, and it had jumped up again to £530 for the year.
“I’m all for artists getting what they deserve, but for a small business like mine that is just crazy.”
After announcing her decision to close on social media, she said other small business owners had reached out to say they understood.
She said: “The (dress) designers have been really understanding, because they’re seeing it across the country. Quite a few people, including outside of the wedding industry, have said they’re done now, because it’s so exhausting.
“Making the decision was very difficult, but once I’d made it, I slept so well! It was a bittersweet mix of excitement and relief.”
Along with her partner, John Ellis, she said the two planned to move to Sheffield to be closer to his family.
She said: “We’ve got a bit of family stuff going on and life is so short, so we just want to be closer to them.
“Moving the shop over there would be very costly at the moment; I’m not sure what I’m going to do next, but it will be nice to put down some roots and have a regular pay cheque coming in.”
Miss Bursnoll said she wanted to thank all of her customers, “kind” neighbours who took in parcels for her, and the “Chronicle” for its support.
The shop closed its doors for the final time on 31st August.
