A bridal shop in Somerset is closing down after 30 years, the owner has announced. Compton House of Fashion in Wedmore, which was founded by Polly Blakeney-Edwards, sells occasionwear including mother-of-the-bride outfits, clothing for high-end events such as Royal Ascot, and hats and fascinators.
Ms Blakeney-Edwards, 74, said the decision to close up shop would allow her to retire but she was hopeful someone with a "smidgen of creativity, tenacity, talent and nerve" would be found to take over the business.
According to the retail entrepreneur, during the last three decades the business has supplied dresses, outfits and hats for some 20,000 weddings, including in Europe, Canada, the US and Middle East.
"My 30 years in this business have been exciting, excruciating and euphoric but I am 74 years old and it's time to hang up my hat. Retirement beckons for my passion of gardening and to write my book of 30 years of investigating my 1,000 years of family history," she said.
Ms Blakeney-Edwards started Compton House of Fashion in Axbridge, originally selling wedding dresses, bridesmaids outfits, ballgowns and hats. The business, which had its own dressmakers at the time, moved to Wedmore after 10 years and started concentrating on mother-of-the bride outfits and hats.
She said one of the highlights of the last 30 years was being flown to Dubai to take a gown covered with jewels to the wedding of a sheik's daughter.
"It was nerve-wracking to be part of a whole team of dressers, hair stylists and beauticians," she recalled. "There were 1,000 guests... and I was presented to the couple at the end of a long walkway and given a gold present."
Ms Blakeney-Edwards said it was with a "heavy heart" she was closing the store, but she was "extremely fortunate" to have had the support of her husband Piers, daughter Lisa and her staff over the years.
She added: "My amazing team of staff have been so supportive and loyal. My manager Wendy has been with me for 25 years and has always been at my side, along with Jo my assistant manager of some 10 years. Nothing has been too much trouble for both of them. There are too many others to mention by name along with all my colleagues in the fashion world, all have been loyal and passionate about what we do."
No final date for the store closure has yet been confirmed, but Compton House of Fashion is holding a closing down sale in the run-up to Christmas. Visits are by appointment only.
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