A Dunblane boutique has been forced to close its doors just a year after opening.
Gayle Blair, the owner of Willow Boutique on the town’s Springfield Terrace, revealed she will shutting up shop next month.
Gayle, who spoke to The Courier earlier this year about her hopes for the business, cited the “struggles” of running an independent business in the current economic climate.
She urged communities to shop local to save our high streets.
Posting on the Willow Boutique Facebook page, she wrote: “It’s no secret that businesses are struggling at the moment and my business is no exception.
“It is with this in mind that I have taken the decision to close the Dunblane shop.
“I still intend to do occasional pop-ups and fayres and hope to keep selling preloved for you in some shape or form, just without the massive overheads.
“So it’s not a complete goodbye. I need to focus on the Edinburgh shop and website and make them the best they can possibly be.
“Although my time here has been short but sweet, I have made new friends and loyal customers and for that I am truly grateful.
“Thank you everyone that is popped in the past year and a half. Every purchase, no matter how small, has been appreciated.”
Rates are killing small businesses
Speaking to The Courier shortly after announcing the sad news, she added: “Everything is so much more expensive now but the thing that kills small businesses is rates on top of everything else.
“Shopping local is more important than ever.”
Gayle will be holding a closing down sale from July 10 and Willow Boutique will officially close on July 31.
She also hopes to hold an evening of shopping and fizz in July to thank her customers.
Willow Boutique has been a staple of women’s clothing and baby wear in Stockbridge, Edinburgh for nearly a decade. This store will remain open, as will the Willow Boutique website.
Dunblane boutique was a tribute to her father
In March last year, owner Gayle Blair decided to open a second location in her hometown of Dunblane.
Her decision to return to Perthshire was motivated by a desire to be nearer family and to help take care of her ailing father.
“My dad played a huge part in my journey as a business owner,” she said in May.
“He helped me buy my first shop in Edinburgh. He was always helping wherever he could.
“It means so much to me that he knew I was opening here before he passed away.”
Before taking the leap into self-employment, Gayle earned a degree in fashion and management, from Heriot-Watt University.
One of the hallmarks of Willow Boutique is its commitment to sourcing from Scottish and UK based designers and suppliers.
Gayle has been overseeing the Dunblane store personally and travelling weekly to Edinburgh, where a trusted team member helps manage the day-to-day operations.
The news comes a week after a popular Stirling baby shop also announced it was closing.
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