“IF YOU want something a bit more special - independent shops like ours give you that.”

Michelle Pratt has worked at Ragdoll ladies’ fashion boutique - our Telegraph & Argus Trader of the Week - for more than 30 years and wouldn’t swap it for the world.

“It’s a wonderful feeling when you help someone to find the perfect outfit for their very special occasion. When they find the one, you see them turn into a different person - they are so happy.”

Ragdoll is run by partners in the business Michelle, her sister-in-law Maxine Thornton and mother-in-law Joyce Pratt, having been established by Joyce - who is retired but remains a partner - in 1976.

“Joyce had a passion for fashion and as my father-in-law often worked away, setting up the business kept her busy,” says Michelle. “She came up with the name as her auntie had just made her a big rag doll, and the name fitted with the ‘rag trade’.”

Maxine began working in the shop as a Saturday girl and after leaving school became full-time. Michelle started working part-time when her children were young and later went full-time.

Originally in Chapeltown in Pudsey, Ragdoll moved to its current, larger, premises in Galloway Lane, Pudsey, in 1993. “At that time we stocked day wear and a little occasion wear but when we moved we became specialists in occasion wear.

“We grew the business alongside the day wear and recommendations through word of mouth is the best advertising you can get. We are proud to have dressed thousands of ladies and generations of families over the years.”

Whether for weddings - with outfits for mother of the bride or groom a speciality - engagements, christenings or to wear for dinner on a cruise, customers are spoiled for choice.

People come from far and wide to experience the shop’s personal service. “We have customers from across the country. Some come from America and Australia and come to shop while visiting family. Our outfits are very individual, not like high street fashion.”

Michelle and Maxine select clothing from specialists in the fashion industry. “We are busy buying for next summer at present,” says Michelle.

Trends come and go. “The past couple of seasons the fit-and-flare dress has been very popular - a favourite style of the Duchess of Cambridge.”

Ragdoll also sells matching millinery to complement all their outfits as well as a small range of shoes and bags.

Michelle and Maxine are full of praise for their “wonderful” staff.

“We could not do without them,” says Michelle. “We have a fabulous manager, Lynn, who has worked with us for 13 years, and our part-time staff are marvellous - to our regulars we are fondly known as the Ragdollies.”

She adds: “Good customer service and our continued passion for fashion is the secret of our success.

“We take time to help people find what they want and we advise on the fit and whether any garments could be altered for different body shapes.”

The personal touch means the shop has not ventured online. “We are proud to be a retailer, not an e-tailer,” says Michelle. “We love seeing people face to face and giving them a very personal shopping experience.”

*Ragdoll, 76 Galloway Lane, Pudsey LS28 8LE