AN award-winning community interest company which has helped hundreds of girls find affordable prom dresses is set to close its doors after more than half a decade.

The Dress Agency was established by image consultant Leah Hobson in 2013.

And for almost five years, girls have been going to the company at its shop in Market Place, Barnard Castle, to pick out their dream gown as part of a programme recycling dresses so that girls can still feel a million dollars but not have to shed out hundreds of pounds in a traditional high-street store.

The scheme was so successful that The Trouser Agency, for men's clothing, followed and customers have been selling and buying designer and retro clothing at the store ever since.

Mrs Hobson has also offered apprenticeships for five Teesdale girls, giving them the chance to gain qualifications in retail, customer service, business administration and team leading.

All have since gone on to find permanent jobs in the area following their experience and her last apprentice, Sasha Wilkes, 17, is set to finish her training next month.

Mrs Hobson, 41, said she has now decided to concentrate on her image consultancy business simplyLeah as well as completing a course in hairdressing.

She said: "I've enjoyed the shop and have loved working with apprentices and other staff. I will really miss prom season but I'm beginning to get restless and so it's time to move on."

She added: "I just thought would I take on another apprentice, but I did not want to and I have always wanted to do hairdressing but I wanted to learn how to it properly."

Mrs Hobson thanked all her clients and customers who have supported the company and said she would never say never to taking up the prom dress side of the business again in the future.

Mrs Hobson hopes to use her new hairdressing skills as part of her image consultancy businesses which she is set to relaunch along with her decluttering service.

  • The shop will close on November 30 and staff are in the process of contacting all clients who have items for sale to arrange collection.
  • Clients can call the shop on 01833-695634 before November 30 or Mrs Hobson on 07816756213 thereafter.