The name of Johnston & Son Fine Footwear will be familiar to shoppers on Wigton's King Street but the iconic shop sign is about to change as the empty premises receives a new lease of life. The sign that reads established 1842 will soon be displaying 1994 with work well underway to refit and restock the shop which is to become the venue for a local charities new store, Chrysalis Wholefoods.
Simon Cross, Enterprise Officer for Chrysalis, said:
“We've tried to keep the plans low key but the curiosity of local people has won the day. This really has become Wigton's worst kept secret but the interest that this new venture is already generating bodes well for the future.”
Based in Wigton, Chrysalis provide individually tailored outreach facilities with a focus on the provision of independent living skills. The charity provides a wide range of services and activities including creative arts, horticulture, sport and health.
Their wholefoods venture started in 1994 with a weekly market stall in the town before moving the business to a shop in West Street. Chrysalis see the move to bigger premises on King Street as an opportunity to improve their offering to local shoppers.
The shop is aiming to build on Wigton's new status as a Fair Trade town by offering a range of Fair Trade teas, coffees and chocolate as well as wholefoods and locally sourced cheeses and produce.
It also provides an environment for Chrysalis members to interact with the wider community and gain valuable experience by helping out with running the business. The new venue and facilities means that up to six members can assist in the shop on any one day.
The prominent position of the shop windows will provide an ideal space for the display of members artwork and seasonal window displays which can now be created by members on the premises.
Elaine Davidson, Support Worker at Chrysalis Wholefoods said,
“We're all working really hard to get the new shop up and running. The additional space will give us the opportunity to provide a great range of local produce.
“It gives us a fantastic location within the town to raise the profile of the charity and the work it does in supporting local people.”
Raising funding for the venture has been a struggle in the current economic climate but Simon Cross believes that the effort put into this new venture will bring big rewards to the local community.
“This shop will provide a great resource for Chrysalis and a fantastic new store for Wigton. We can promote the very best in local and fair trade produce.
“We are still appealing to anybody who wishes to donate time, money or even furniture (particularly a large farmhouse kitchen style table) to contact us via our website at chrysalis-cumbria.org.uk or by phone on (016973) 44751.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the Late George Johnston and George and Alison Johnston for their efforts in refurbishing the shop and help in making this move possible.”
The new shop opens on the 5th October with an official launch date due in mid November.