Bags About Town Boutique has permanent unit in Market Place

Bags About Town is to open in a unit in the complex on Corporation Street next week after building up a strong customer base in the Market Emporium.

But when that was relocated in the complex to make way for a new store - yet to be officially unveiled - owner Adele Edwards decided to take the plunge and move into a unit.

The business specialises in Italian handbags and Adele, 58, who lives in Yorkshire and travels to Bolton, has been in the business for more than 14 years, said she is ‘excited but nervous’ to open her new store hopefully from as early as Monday, April 8.

She said: “I am aiming to open my new shop on Monday, after relocating out of the inside of Market Place.

“When I first opened my shop within Market Emporium it was classed as a pop-up, and we knew we wouldn’t stay there forever but I was in there for two years and eight months.

“And I knew at some point we would have to relocate and now because a new shop is moving into the unit we are being relocated and out of the goodness of their hearts the Market Place team found somewhere,

"However it wasn’t suitable for me as the space was small having to be shared by four traders.

“And fast forward, I knew about this unit outside because 12 months ago I was asked if I wanted to move into there and at the time I said no but now I am moving into that unit and I am excited.

“The Market Place team have been really good to me.

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“I was shown my new unit and I signed on the dotted line.

“We started the work in here in January and it has been stressful getting it ready and it has taken a while, but it is quaint, it is quirky, and I love it.

“I have put my footprints onto it, so it has all my touches now and it is all mine, and all the work has been done by me and my husband.”

Adele said the customers responses have been great.

She said: “I’m excited for the opening but also very nervous.

Adele Edwards (Image: Adele Edwards)“I do have a good clientele that will carry on coming but also now I need to build it more and get more customers.

“I am nervous, but I have an exciting feeling about it.

“Customers have been messaging me asking me to hurry up and open because they want bags and clothes for their holidays.

“My customers have really supported me saying they miss me, they can’t wait to see me, and the new shop and I can’t wait to see them too.

“It has given me a buzz.”

Adele said she couldn’t have done this without her customers.

She said: “This is all down to my customers, they’ve built it. I have carried on coming being loyal for them, but my customers have built this for me.”

Bags About Town Boutique will sell a range of products surrounding Italian fashion this includes handbags, a small collection of Italian leather handbags, statement jewellery, clothes, scarves and more.

Opening times will depend on how popular the shop is but Adele is planning to be open five days a week.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.