Elspeth's story....
My husband and I were born and educated in St. Andrews. My own family name
of which I am very proud is Cunningham, originally fisher folk who stretch
back many generations in the town. I have been married to Gordon for nearly
35 years. Gordon was the first baby to be born in the now-closed Craigtoun
Maternity Hospital just outside St. Andrews. I opened my lingerie shop, Elspeth's
Of St. Andrews, in Church Street in 2000, having relocated from my previous
shop, West Port Lingerie, near the West Port in South Street, which I opened
in-1999. At the time I was already operating Cherries sandwich
shop near the West Port from 1996.1 was given the opportunity to take on the
premises next door and I ran them for a short time as a Cafe, then made the
transition to lingerie in 1999.
I needed more space, and in 2000 I relocated to larger, higher profile premises
in Church Street, taking the opportunity to rename and relaunch my business
as Elspeth's of St. Andrews, giving it more character, with a feminine and
personal touch. Church Street is a link roadbetween two major shopping areas
in a central location with a number of significant traffic generators, including
a bank with an ATM, a bus stop, the community library, and several other successful
local retailers. Their customers may become our customers and our customers
may become their customers! In 2001 I also relocated Cherries to
a more prominent
position in South Street beside Crails Lane and opposite St. Mary'sCollege.
It is convenient having both shops close to each other. Cherries also has a
has a branch in Bonnygate , Cupar which I opened in 1997.
I pride myself in stocking the leading major lingerie
brands, including Lejaby, Fantasy, Chantelle, Triumph and the exciting
and newly arrived Elle MacPherson. I also stock many lines of non-wired,
nursing bras, and a selection of sports bras forthe serious athlete
or weekend jogger.
The demographic mix of St. Andrews is wide and varied. I therefore have a broad
customer base and take pride in satisfying my customers' expectations. Not
to forget the men, I carry a range of Sloogi for Men underwear. I have a range
of nightwear for all ages, whether it be a glamorous negligee , s comfortable
cotton nightdress, or cosy pyjamas which make ideal gifts. With holidays approaching
I have an extensive range of swimwear which is cup-sized and will allow each
individual to achieve a perfect fit and shape.
I travel frequently to the lingerie industries' national
fashion shows to discover and source the future fashions and innovations
in lingerie, nightwear, and swimwear, which I then personally select.
Although I have an extensive stock from a size 30C to 48F, if I do not happen
to have at the time what the customer desires, I will gladly order and send
it on to them. In the past I have mailed orders to Egypt, Cyprus, the United
States of America, Europe, and of course to many customers in the UK. I pride
myself on the discreet and personal service my customers receive.
My staff and I have been fully trained by the major
lingerie fashion houses in bra fitting and have gained many years experience
to the highest standard and we of St Andrews describe ourselves as
specialists .I would not on any account sell a customer a poorly fitting
bra.
It is a sad statistic that 87% of women today are wearing an incorrect size
of bra. Women who are fitted correctly will feel much better within themselves.
I know when I fit customers with the correct size of bra, they look better,
the'/feel better, and it boosts their inner confidence as they leave my shop
with a spring in their step and a smile on their face- persona! recommendation
is the optimum advertising I hope to achieve. |
