Designer shoe retailer for sale

Exclusive Footwear, a designer shoe retailer based in York, is to sell its profitable children's shoe department.

Frances Chalmers established the business in the Gillygate area of the city in 2005, selling a number of designer brands from the premises. She has since expanded, adding the children's division in 2009 and opening a store in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2010.

The business also trades online and was recently shortlisted as E-Retailer of the Year by Drapers Footwear and Accessories Awards. With the shortlisting in mind, Ms Chalmers is keen to build on her existing success and develop even more of a name for the firm. However, to do this, she wants to focus on the adult side of things.

The business owner told the York Press: “It’s a cracking business, but I have got to focus on the adult side of things. This is the easiest piece to remove from the business although I’m really sad to do so. It’s a really nice business to run.”

Ms Chalmers added that whoever does buy the business would be offered training and assistance in keeping the firm going, while they could also view the business plan for additional guidance. She noted that she would like to see someone buy the business who could help it reach its full potential and suggested that an existing customer who has their own children and would like to experience the flexibility of running their own company could make an ideal buyer.