In this episode of Love Local, Jen chats with Charlotte from The Bridal Dress Company in Newbury about how a simple idea during maternity leave turned into an independent bridal shop on the high street.

Charlotte was inspired by her own wedding dress shopping experience and wanted to create the same unforgettable experiences for people getting married in West Berkshire. Just weeks after signing the contract for the premises, she opened the doors launching the business as lockdown restrictions were lifted in April 2021.

Charlotte shares the realities of starting a retail business during such an uncertain time, from sourcing stock and choosing designers to understanding how many wedding dresses a bridal shop actually needs. What began with around 20 dresses has grown to a collection of more than 150, with the business continually adapting its stock, sizing and range to meet the needs of its brides.

We also explore the personal side of finding a wedding dress. Charlotte explains why the experience is about much more than simply selling a dress, how she helps brides find something that feels right for them, and why staying within a bride's budget is so important.

Jen and Charlotte also discuss branding, social media, Christmas window displays, collaborations with other local wedding suppliers, changing bridal trends and the importance of building relationships with other independent businesses.

From the challenges of cash flow and long dress lead times to the power of a great shop window and local collaboration, this episode offers plenty of insight for anyone thinking about starting an independent business.

Find out more about The Bridal Dress Company at https://www.thebridaldresscompany.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/thebridaldresscompany/

Love Local is the podcast by Jennifer Cornish Design, spotlighting incredible independent businesses in Newbury and the surrounding areas.

If you're a small business owner in Newbury or the surrounding area and have a story to tell, Jen would love to hear from you.

Follow Love Local, leave a review and share this episode with someone who'd enjoy it.

Find out more about Jen’s work at https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk

When Shelleigh Butler was on maternity leave, a simple conversation during a playdate sparked an idea that would become one of Newbury's most popular family destinations.

In this episode of Love Local, Jen sits down with Shelleigh, co-founder of Tiny Town Cafe, to discuss how she and her siblings turned a gap in the local market into a thriving family business.

From finding their first premises in the Kennet Centre to relocating into a new High Street home, Shelleigh shares the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way.

The conversation explores the realities of running a family business, balancing parenthood and entrepreneurship, building a loyal customer base, and the importance of creating spaces where families can connect and children can play safely. Shelleigh also opens up about the emotional challenges of relocating the business and how family support has been central to Tiny Town's success.

If you're a parent, local business owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with honest insights and inspiration.

Learn more about Tiny Town Cafe at Tiny Town Cafe, a family-run role play cafe in the heart of Newbury designed to inspire imagination, creativity, and learning through play.

For more on Jen and her work creating standout websites for local businesses, visit: ⁠https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk⁠

This podcast is recorded at and produced by Creative Content Studio https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk

In this episode of Love Local, Jen is joined by Julie Taylor from Fenton Elliot Solicitors to break down what small business owners need to know about HR and employment law.

With over 50 years of combined experience and a 95% success rate, Fenton Elliot work with SMEs, owner-managed businesses, and professionals across Newbury and the wider Thames Valley helping them navigate complex employment challenges with confidence.

Julie shares practical advice on:

• When to bring in HR support
• How to avoid common (and costly) employment mistakes
• The difference between employees, workers, and contractors
• Handling grievances, redundancies, and workplace disputes
• How AI is changing HR…for better and worse

Julie qualified in 2007 and previously led a successful employment law team before joining Fenton Elliot in 2023. Known for her calm, pragmatic approach, she works with both employers and individuals to find the best possible outcomes.

If you're hiring your first employee or growing your team, this episode will help you protect your business and get your HR foundations right.

Learn more at https://fentonelliott.co.uk
Get in touch at hello@fentonelliott.co.uk

For more on Jen and her work creating standout websites for local businesses, visit: ⁠https://www.jennifercornish.co.uk⁠

This podcast is recorded at and produced by Creative Content Studio https://www.creativecontentstudio.co.uk