The 76-year-old owner John Cassells and his 75-year-old wife Margaret hope to open for business during the second week of February.
“We’re not going to retire, I don’t want to sit at home on my behind doing nothing,” John declared.We like to introduce ourselves and have conversations with others. “The type of shoes we’re doing, they’re not going to be over expensive, but they’re going to be something you can build your wardrobe up from,” we said, hoping that our attempt to offer something different would be successful.
John said there will be a variety of alternatives in the stock to fit any need, including formal, casual, and orthopaedic options.
The “His and Her Attire” store HA HA UK is presently undergoing renovations, including new carpets, walls, lighting, and décor. John, who used to be a builder, started the renovation in November and continued working through Christmas with the goal of opening in the spring. Running clothes stores in St Ives and Huntingdon, John and Margaret felt that relocating to Rushden was “a no brainer,” given the facilities there required expensive maintenance.
When we visited Rushden’s High Street this week, residents emphasised the need for the town to have more locally owned businesses.
One customer, Angela Woods, argued that more funding was required for the town centre.
“The shopkeepers are all so friendly,” the woman remarked. The town centre is the top priority, followed closely by the NHS. Although I like The (Rushden) Lakes, my mother and other older people depend on the town centre.
John Cassells emphasised that HA HA UK will provide something that the drive-in retail park does not, and he also brought up Rushden Lakes.
“The problem I see with the town centre is that I’ve noticed a lot of shops have shutters,” he stated.
We’ve been down to Rushden Lakes and looked at the shoe stores; they’re pricey and nothing like what we have, so I’m hoping word gets out there.”
