Landing on her feet (From The Northern Echo)

Landing on her feet

11:48am Tuesday 16th February 2010 in

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A change in direction has been a giant leap of faith for a new shop owner. She talks to Sarah French.

FOR eight years, Charlotte Barker and her mother have beautified the women of Wensleydale and beyond.

Now, with her new Head Over Heels shop, just off Leyburn Market Place, Charlotte is moving from face to feet.

She has just opened the shoes, handbags and accessories shop a few doors along from the hair and beauty salon she runs with her mother, Ann Brackenbury.

“After talking to a lot of ladies about what they wanted, I decided to branch out,” explains Charlotte.

There isn’t anything like this, not in Leyburn or nearby towns like Richmond and Bedale. We’re trying to offer something different on the doorstep so people don’t have to travel to the cities to find stylish shoes, boots, bags and accessories.”

Once she got the idea, Charlotte headed off to a buying show in Birmingham to place her first orders for this season’s collection.

“There used to be a shoe shop in Leyburn and I know Rieker was a popular make there so I’ve gone for those.

They’re a slightly wider fit and I stock up to a size 8, which can be ordered for anyone who needs bigger sizes,” she says.

The 28-year-old also stocks Marco Tozzi and Spanish makes Pilar Abril and Menbur, which are only available elsewhere in the region in Fenwick, Newcastle.

Remonte Dorndorf are a wider fit range – up to width H – while all the ranges begin in size three.

“I’ve tried to choose styles that are a bit different, including shoes and boots, flats and heels, dressy and more everyday,” says Charlotte. “I also think it’s important to offer matching handbags with many of the styles. I find it really frustrating when you buy a nice pair of shoes for a special occasion that you then have to traipse around trying to find a bag to go with them.”

As well as bags to match the shoe ranges, she also stocks handbags and purses by Elite and Ali & Lou.

The jewellery collection is by Topaz Glow, a great value range of chunky bangles and necklaces.

Everything is displayed for easy trying-on in the boudoir-style shop, with flashes of hot pink against a sophisticated black and white background.

And for anyone looking for gifts but is not too sure about what size or style to choose, gift vouchers are available.

“Leyburn is a busy town and it is actually quite hard to find empty premises here, unlike many places these days. I think it’s a sign that Leyburn is doing well and people will always be attracted to small towns which offer something different,”

says Charlotte.

“We’re already attracting customers from Durham and Leeds and have lots of holidaymakers calling in who are really pleased to find nice shops in rural towns. I’m really pleased with the start we’ve made.”

■ Head Over Heels, 2 Railway Street, Leyburn, open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm.

Tel: 01969-625234.

Your chance for a free visit to bridal show

PLANNING the perfect wedding can be daunting and expensive, so to help with inspiration, advice and for a fun day out, we’ve teamed up with the Wedding & Lifestyle Show to offer our readers 25 pairs of tickets to visit this must-do bridal event.

This year’s spring show is on February 27 and 28 at the Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate.

Exhibitors will be showing everything needed for the wedding day all under one roof, from the car to the cake and from photography to food.

There are five catwalk shows each day featuring the very best in bridal couture, menswear and occasion wear from the hottest designers around, as well as informal seminars and exciting entertainment.

For more information, contact 0870- 890-3030 or visit weddingandlifestyle.co.uk To win a pair of tickets to the show simply answer the following question: Where is the Wedding & Lifestyle Show held? Answers on a postcard or the back of an envelope to Wedding & Lifestyle Show Competition, Features, The Northern Echo, Priesgate, Darlington DL1 1NF. The closing date is February 20 and usual Newsquest competition rules apply.

Free haircuts for Haiti at Saks

FOUR Saks salons in the region are giving away free haircuts in a bid to raise at least £4,000 for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

The salons, in Barnard Castle, Northallerton, Scotch Corner and Stokesley, have linked up with The Northern Echo to give away 100 free cut and finishes at each salon – all they ask in return is that each client donates a minimum of £10 when they visit for their free appointment.

Saks will send all proceeds to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

To be in with a chance of winning a free haircut, while doing your bit for charity, send your name, address, telephone number and preferred salon to Saks Haiti Offer, Features, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darllington DL1 1NF. The closing date is Tuesday, February 23, and usual Newsquest competition rules apply.

■ Terms and conditions: Free appointments are available with selected staff on selected days at the four salons.

Winners will be notified after the closing date and will then need to contact their designated salon to arrange their appointment. Cash donation to DEC must be made direct to the salon when you visit for your appointment. If you are unsuccessful in securing an appointment but still want to donate to the DEC, call the donation line on 0370-60-60-900 or visit dec.org.uk

We’re in top gear

FEMALE motorists bear the brunt of many a car-related gag, yet research reveals women are savvier about cars and motoring than many men give them credit for. Indeed, the average woman considers her car to be more important than clothes, make-up or holidays.

Women’s car insurer Diamond asked more than 4,000 women for their views on motoring, and found 44 per cent like talking about cars with their friends, and almost two thirds enjoy watching Top Gear.

The survey also revealed that, despite what some men believe, fewer than three per cent of women would choose a car based on its colour. The top two reasons – at 20 per cent each – women cited for choosing a particular car were economy and price. A further 12 per cent said the make and model would be the deciding factor.