Isabel’s Retro rags to Newbury retail riches as new store opens in Parkway Shopping centre

Newbury style icon Isabel Carnsew is going from rags to riches – and is opening a new store in the flagship Parkway Shopping centre, writes Fiona Paus.

Mrs Carnsew started her Isabel’s Retro business at the town’s market eight years ago – and last week she threw open the doors to a new, glossy fronted shop in Parkway.

“The footfall is a lot more in Parkway and the location we’ve got is fantastic so when we had this opportunity it just made sense to move up here,” said Mrs Carnsew. “We’ve got a fantastic following in Newbury definitely.”

Three years ago, with the aid of the local Pop Up Shop Scheme and a rapidly growing customer base, she moved from her market stall into a unit in the Kennet Shopping centre.

“It was lovely to have some warmth and a bit more room for stock,” she explained.

The move to the Parkway has been helped by recycling shop fittings from recently closed units.

“I’m thrilled I’ve been able to keep costs down. The shelves came from Johnson Shoes and the mannequins from TopShop,” she said.