Lingerie shop Ellie and Bea moves to bigger Winchester unit

Ellie and Bea moved out of St Thomas Street last month when a larger space became available, next door to The Hatch in Parchment Street.

The independent boutique invested thousands of pounds into transforming the former Turkish barbers unit, with a month’s turnaround from getting the keys.

Owner Gwen Curtis, 55, who launched Ellie and Bea’s first shop in 2018, said: “We moved because we’ve grown. This unit is about double the size and has more footfall.

“The response to our relocation has been really positive. I thought that everyone knew us back at Thomas Street but we’re getting so many more new customers here.

Ellie and Bea owner Gwen Curtis (Image: Adele Bouchard)

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“Our price point has increased, we're getting an increase in demand, we’ve increased the number of swimwear products we stock from Alresford, we’re professional bra fitters offering a one-to-one service and we can provide a specialised service.

“It’s just easier to work in this space, it was becoming a bit cramped. We had a lot of work to do and put a lot of money into it but we’re delighted with the end result. It’s great, it really suits our needs and we’re in the centre of town without having to pay the High Street prices.

“We’ve been really welcomed here and arrived just as the Parchment Street festival was happening, which was lovely. We hope we’re going to be able to settle in here and be here for many more years to come.”

Inside Ellie and Bea (Image: Adele Bouchard)

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Ellie and Bea was closed for just a day, while the staff moved their stock from St Thomas Street to Parchment Street. Ms Curtis runs two stores, having opened her second shop in Alresford in September.

Speaking on how the business has been able to expand during the cost-of-living crisis, the business owner said: “We’ve had a lot of support post-Covid. Shoppers are looking out for independents. Everyone thinks the High Street is dying but I haven’t seen any independent retailers closing. It’s different to pubs who have been hit by rising electricity bills.”

Ellie and Bea was closed for just a day, while the staff moved their stock from St Thomas Street to Parchment Street.