'I went to buy a wedding dress for my daughter in Kibworth 13 years ago – and ended up buying the shop!'

Debbie Taylor went to buy a wedding dress for her daughter Eloise in Kibworth Beauchamp 13 years ago – and she ended up buying the shop.

Then a nursery nurse in Northampton, she snapped up Wedding Belles on Kibworth’s High Street on the spot because the owner was planning to retire.

And Debbie’s never regretted her extraordinary showstopping decision for a minute as she celebrates the ever-popular shop’s high-profile 30th anniversary.

“It’s been an unforgettable 13 years for me here and all being well I’ll be going strong at the helm for a few more years yet.

“I’m loving it more and more every day,” said Debbie, 58, of Desborough.

“It’s been a fantastic adventure meeting and helping so many lovely people over the years and I just love it.”

She took her daughter Eloise, now 37, to buy her dress at Wedding Belles for her big day back in 2007.

“The lady who owned it told us she was planning to retire and close the shop.

“So I more or less decided there and then to buy it from her,” smiled Debbie.

“I went home and told my husband Gary that I was buying the wedding shop as well as Eloise’s dress.

“He said that he knew the wedding was going to be expensive but he didn’t realise it would cost him that much!

“But he took it pretty well on the whole and we’ve never looked back.

“I got in touch with my good friend Carole, who was in retail at the time, and she came in with me.

“Carole was a huge help to me but sadly she passed away seven years ago.”

Her youngest daughter Bethany, 30, and colleagues Gemma and Jeanette now help Debbie to run the busy shop.

“It’s obviously been a very strange year for everyone.

“We had planned to stage some sort of incentive or special event every month this year to celebrate 30 years,” said Debbie.

“It’s quite an achievement and we are very proud that Wedding Belles has been here flourishing in Kibworth for three decades.

“We were going to throw a big party this month for brides who have bought a dress here over the years.

“But, of course, the Covid-19 pandemic has put a stop to all that, unfortunately.

“We are still going to hold a grand draw for all our customers with the lucky winner getting £300 off their dress.

“We re-opened on July 4 after the lockdown and it’s been up and down with so many weddings being cancelled or postponed.

“But we certainly cannot complain and we are already looking forward to a brighter year in 2021.

“We offer a complete bridal service here.

“Brides and their families like coming here because I’m easy to get on with,” said Debbie.

“I’m a people person, there’s no high pressure selling here.

“We get lots of recommendations.

“Brides bring their friends along too – and we’ve had women who have come here to buy wedding dresses twice and even three times!

“They come from all over Leicestershire and Northamptonshire as well as across the UK.

“We have had customers from as far away as South Africa, New York, Las Vegas and Dubai.

“They might have grown up here and still got family here.

“So our fame has spread far and wide.

“And we are delighted and honoured to have helped out hundreds of women over the last 30 years because buying the right wedding dress for you is absolutely crucial to your big day.”

If you would like to check out Wedding Belles for yourself you can visit their website here: https://www.weddingbellesonline.co.uk/