New shop adds a sparkle to town centre

Reporter: Laura Wild
Date online: 12 January 2010

A Rochdale entrepreneur has taken a tough step in the current economic climate to fulfil her career aspirations.

Shabeena Shabbir, 25, has opened her own clothes shop, Sparkle Ladieswear, on the Walk, Rochdale, to embark on a new challenge following eight years working for high street chain New Look.

Miss Shabbir worked part time in retail whilst studying Business at Hopwood Hall College and as she moved up the ranks at New Look she realised she wanted to open her own shop. She said: “I was ready for a new challenge, I had an idea in mind of what I wanted the shop to be like and what I wanted to sell so I decided to go for it.”

The shop sells clothes in sizes 8-26, which is something not many Rochdale shops have to offer. 

Miss Shabbir added: “The clothes I have in are really popular because they are unique styles and they are different to what is on offer in the other shops.”

The opening of the shop and the Christmas period has kept Miss Shabbir busy, she said: “I am really enjoying it. This is a new challenge but I think it is a long term prospect and a future investment.”