Whitley Bay entrepreneurs branch out into clicks and mortar

A boutique which has helped to bring a new customer demographic to one of Whitley Bay’s main shopping streets is going for further growth with the launch of a new website.

Escape Boutique and its sister business Mitchell’s Menswear, which opened its doors earlier this year, previously took online orders via a third-party website.

Now anyone visiting either www.escapeboutique.co.ukor www.mitchellsmenswear.co.uk will be directed to a single domain, where customers can order items directly.

Also being introduced is a dedicated blog to help keep fashionistas up to date with the latest looks and trends.

Married couple Lisa and Carl Mitchell started Escape Boutique in Park View almost 10 years ago, when there were fewer shops and footfall was lower.

Things have changed remarkably in the last decade, despite the recession, with the street remaining a popular site for independent retailers and developing a much wider appeal, especially with a younger audience.

Lisa, a member of the Whitley Bay Chamber of Trade, said: “Park View has always had a real mix of independent retailers with regular and loyal customers but in the past few years it has really taken off, with a vibrant mix of great shops and cafes that appeal to a much wider group of people.

“The regeneration of the street into a busy shopping area has brought a lot of people into our shops, both locals and those visiting Whitley Bay. Over the summer, I talked to many people taking day trips and holidays in the town, and it became very clear there is a major online market of people from other parts of the UK who want to buy from Escape and Mitchell’s.

“With our previous website, users had to place their orders via a different site but our new website, they can shop and pay in one place. This one click ordering system is a big improvement and we’re confident it will lead to a boost in our online sales.”

Although retail was one of the hardest hit sectors during the recession, Escape bucked the trend with its mix of affordable, quality women’s clothing, footwear and accessories. The success of the women’s wear shop led to the opening of Mitchell’s Menswear a few doors down on Park View in March this year.

Carl said: “This has been a really big year for us, opening Mitchell’s Menswear in the spring and now launching our combined website for customers who can’t make it to Whitley Bay.

“We’ve been able to ride out the recession, and we’ve seen some major regeneration in Whitley Bay during that time which has turned Park View into a fantastic shopping street. We’re proud to be a part of that, and we’re excited about celebrating our first 10 years in business in 2014.”

To keep up to date with developments at Escape Boutique and Mitchell’s Menswear, log on to www.escapeboutique.co.uk or www.mitchellsmenswear.co.uk.