A businesswoman has used her experiences of living in London to bring something new and eye-catching to Colne.
To mark her first year at Pendle Belles Vintage and Collectables, and to give something back to the traders, customers and friends who have shown her support, Sandra Fernandeze (48) held a unique event at her Albert Road store.
Having been inspired by department stores and certain high streets in the Big Smoke, the former financial advisor joined her friend Lisa Thomasson to become live models in her shop window for the day.
Curtains were drawn back at noon on Saturday, and according to Sandra, her idea was welcomed with plenty of warmth and appreciation.
She said: “Nothing could have prepared me for the amazing reaction we got from each and every passer-by, both on foot and in cars.
“Every single person smiled, waved or came into the shop for a closer look as soon as they realised that we were alive.
“Cars slowed down as they passed, bus passengers waved and smiled and we had a lot of thumbs ups from shoppers on the opposite side of the road too. The traffic came to a standstill on more than one occasion. I feel very happy to have brought a smile to so many people. I am still on a high from it all.”
Throughout the past 12 months. Sandra says she has been overwhelmed by how she has been welcomed and accepted into the town.
She added: “I feel so privileged to be living in this town. I know there’s this ‘Cool Colne’ theme going on at present but even before that, I always knew it had something special.
“I do know the town looks lovely with the flowers and stunning architecture but all those things become shallow when you’re missing good people and Colne seems to be full of the best kind of people. I’ve certainly seen a comprehensive cross-section during the last year in the shop and my initial feelings about this place remain unchanged.”
