Owner's hopes for shop future (From Gazette Series)

Owner's hopes for shop future

A LOYAL Wotton-under-Edge trader is ready to retire but is keen for her shop to stay open for business.

Judith Whitcroft has run Beaux and Belles, the children's clothes shop in Long Street, for 17 years.

She moved to Wotton with her husband, who shared the business with her, and following his death she has found the work more difficult.

The house and shop have been on the market for a while and there have been several offers. But Mrs Whitcroft has turned these down, as they were from potential buyers who were interested in converting the building for various uses.

Mrs Whitcroft said: "Many people don't realise there is a wonderful 500 year old house here, with courtyard and garden, as well as the shop."

The house at 42 Long Street was owned by the Organ family from the early 18th century until 1983.

In November 1933, Marjorie Hooper-Organ and her sister opened a home-made cake shop and The Rope Walk Cafe at the front of their home.

The two young ladies had to earn a living, following a severe bicycle accident in Old Town suffered by Marjorie's husband.

Mrs Whitcroft said: "Mrs Organ continued to make wonderful home-made jam after they'd moved."

Mrs Hooper-Organ's daughter, also called Marjorie and well known in Wotton for her involvement with drama productions, said: "42 Long Street was a very happy home - even though my mother and aunt had to work hard, we had lovely parties with plenty of laughter."

Looking to the future, Mrs Whitcroft said: "I imagine there may be someone in the town who'd like to open a children's clothes shop but will not pursue the idea because of Beaux and Belles. I would just like to let people know this business is up for sale and I would give new owners as much help and advice as I could."

She added: "Whoever buys this place is buying more than a home and business - it's a whole lifestyle, being part of the local community."

Judith Whitcroft, whose daughter Tara lives and works in the town, will not be moving away from Wotton-under-Edge.