As we enter a brand new year, Jobsons of Alnwick is looking towards a bright future and an exciting phase of growth – under the watchful eye of its new owner.

The store, which has been trading for over 100 years, began life as master saddlery business, but has since evolved into one of Alnwick’s most reputable and much-loved landmarks for shopping.

Synonymous with luxury country fashion and footwear, it has stocked a variety of leading brands such as Barbour, Birkenstock, Dubarry and Seasalt, along with the finest equestrian goods and expert saddle fitting and repair services.

Previous owners, Chris and Alison Todd, were at the helm for 23 years, until they decided to retire from the business and sell it to Rachel Wilson in December last year.

On a mission to breathe new life into the business and reach a wider customer demographic, Rachel enlisted the help of Bradley Hall – one of the North East’s leading chartered surveyors and estate agents – who were instructed to sell the two-storey property.

Following a successful completion, Jobsons of Alnwick officially closed its doors on December 30th and Rachel took ownership from January 12th. It will remain temporarily closed until mid-March, during which time it will undergo an extensive refurbishment to reflect Rachel’s vision for the store’s future.

Eager to continue its luxury offering, Rachel will continue to offer popular, big-name labels like Barbour, Seasalt Cornwall, Aigle and Le Chameau on the ground floor, alongside a new selection of fashion-forward brands, which will sell at a lower and more accessible price point.

Names such as Sugarhill Brighton, Nomads Clothing and Holebrook are expected to make the stock, along with revered British footwear designer, Penelope Chilvers, who’s boots are worn by Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, and fashion moguls worldwide.

The building’s upper floor, meanwhile, will be transformed into a dedicated space for children’s and ladies clothing, giving parents living in, or visiting, Alnwick a place to shop much-loved brands like Ducky Zebra, Me & Henry and George W. Davies Fashion.

Essential basics, including underwear, school tights, vests and shoes, will also be on offer, alongside a variety of toys and games – most at pocket money prices.

The store’s existing equestrian goods will cease to be sold when it reopens and its long-established saddlery business – led by former employee John Bailey – will move to different premises. Chris Todd will continue to operate his saddle fitting business to customers on a remote basis.

“I’m delighted to be taking over the reigns at Jobsons of Alnwick,” said Rachel.

“I’ve lived in Alnwick for 13 years and have seen first-hand how much the store means to visitors – including returning holidaymakers who come back year after year.

“Renowned for its impeccable customer service and traditional values and charm, it’s become somewhat of an institution – and I’m thrilled to be continuing its legacy, while expanding its offering.

“Many people – including locals – think of Jobsons of Alnwick only as somewhere to buy equestrian goods and country labels, but my aim is to change that. I want to shift perceptions and open the store up to a larger and more varied demographic – including local, parents and children.”

“My hope is that by offering a mix of different price points for different types of customers, Jobsons of Alnwick will become more accessible – an all-rounder – for both locals and visitors to the area.

“As a parent living in Alnwick, I know how difficult it is to find children’s clothes on my doorstep – there are no dedicated children’s clothing stores in town – so I’m really looking forward to filling that gap and welcoming families through our doors.

“Our new fashion-forward womenswear collection, meanwhile, will sell dresses, tops and more – and the average price per garment will be around £25 to £30. Perfect for those on a budget, or shopping with convenience in mind.”

In addition, Rachel plans to keep the store’s dog-friendly policy intact, as well as extend its opening hours at certain points of the year – including Sundays and Bank Holidays during the summer months.

Plans to revamp the store’s existing website are underway, with a re-launch also planned for March 2024. This will allow customers to buy online, while having access to the same brands and customer service that people experience when they visit the store.

Commenting on the sale of Jobsons of Alnwick, Group CEO at Bradley Hall, Neil Hart, said: “It was a pleasure to work with Rachel and assist her in purchasing this fantastic property.

“Her plans for the future are very exciting and we look forward to watching them come to life over the coming weeks and months.”

Rachel added: “I’d like to thank Neil and the team at Bradley Hall for all their help. The customer service I received was second-to-none and they went above and beyond to make the whole process as smooth and as seamless as possible. I’d highly recommend their services to anyone looking to buy or sell a property.”

For more information, visit www.jobsonsofalnwick.co.uk