Going out in style

NOW . . . Brenda Heath is bidding a fond farewell

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THE end of a fashion era is nigh - after more than half a century.

Brenda and Leonard Heath are set to close the doors on Alexandra House Ladies Fashions in Park Road after 55 years.

Brenda opened her first shop in the town, “Michelle’s” — named after her eldest daughter — in Glodwick Road, followed by “Tracy Fashions” — after her youngest daughter — in Hollinwood, and “House of Tracy”, in Henshaw Street, which traded for 26 years.

The couple opened Alexandra House in 1970.

“We used to stage a lot of fashion shows for charity,” said Brenda. “They were big events — we had actress Barbara Knox, who plays Rita in ‘Coronation Street’ — compering one year.”

“I also met George Best, who was launching his own range of shirts. That was very exciting. He was very handsome, he had bright blue eyes and shoulder-length curly hair.

“He was lovely and took his time to speak to everyone even though he was such a big star at the time. One of Brenda’s most loyal customers is 82-year-old Margaret Ferguson.

“I started shopping at Brenda’s first shop, Michelle’s, when my daughter was two,” said Margaret.

“She had lovely children’s and ladies clothes, and because she’s always stocked things I like I’ve always gone back.

“It was a bit of a shock to hear Alexandra House was closing, it’s a very friendly shop. I will be very sad to see it go.”

Brenda says it was a difficult decision.

“It’s been terrible deciding to close, I still don’t know if I’ve done the right thing, but I’m not getting any younger,” she said. “It’s been a joy working there all these years. There’s been a lot of changes, both in fashion and in the area — not all for the better — but I’ve loved it.

It’s not entirely the end of an era: Brenda’s daughter Tracy Walsh is set to open Tracy’s clothes boutique in Grotton in February.