“I AM passionate about interiors and gifts.”
Adele Siddall has the perfect job: earlier this year she took over Gorgeous Gifts and Cards in Bradford Road, Birkenshaw - our Telegraph & Argus Trader of the Week.
“It’s a lovely shop - you will find something for everyone here,” she says. “It’s a very varied range, which I change regularly, something my customers like. I really enjoy selecting items - I shop for a living, what’s not to love?”
Adele shops for Christmas the previous January. “It’s a big occasion for us. It feels like Lapland in here with all the festive gifts.”
The stylish shop sells products as diverse as handbags, candles, scarves, soft toys, mugs and socks.
“It’s a shop that everyone loves to visit. We have some very well-known brands, and items from smaller firms too - we support many different companies.”
There’s a good selection of greeting cards. “Cards are big business for the shop - we stock cards for all occasions, that you wouldn’t find in main high street stores or supermarkets.”
Dispensing optician Adele previously worked in the optical industry for 30 years, measuring and fitting glasses for customers.
“Next year I will sell spectacles from the shop - people will bring in their prescription and choose their glasses.” Birkenshaw Optical opens within the shop in January.
Adele, who grew up in Wyke and now lives in Brighouse, had always wanted to run her own business.
“I have always wanted to work for myself, and one day the shop popped up on Rightmove. I am a single mum with two daughters so it was quite scary - a giant leap of faith - but it’s paid off.”
The shop has been on the site in Birkenshaw for eight years. Its previous owner passed welcome advice to Adele. “She gave me some useful tips for securing stock. In summer and winter I go to a gift fair in Harrogate where there are hundreds of stands - it which gives me so many ideas. It’s not easy - you have to consider that everyone has different tastes.”
The village of Birkenshaw is close to Adele’s heart. “My grandparents are from here. They lived just up the road. It’s a really friendly village.”
Adele often places a bench outside the shop to sell plants. “It catches people’s eyes - they have sold very well,” she says.
She loves the social aspect of running the shop. “I like meeting people. We have regular browsers, some come every week.”
“I have a part-time staff member Louise who lives nearby and is wonderful.”
Upstairs has been turned into a beauty salon, Lux by Kayli and Nails Within by Lindsey.
Adele’s daughters love her shop. “They often ask if they can come to work with me. It doesn’t feel like work to me, I never look at the clock - it’s the best feeling ever.”
Gorgeous Gifts and Cards, 521 Bradford Rd, Birkenshaw, Bradford BD11 2AA; Gorgeous Gifts is on Facebook
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