The owner of a Hereford fashion shop says the city is defying the national trend of High Street decline and is pulling in customers from other cities and even celebrities. Calandras Menswear lies in Church Street, a closely-packed array of independent retailers and cafés leading to the city’s cathedral. “It’s a destination street,” owner Giovanni Calandra said.
“People will come here from places like Cheltenham, Gloucester and Worcester.” RELATED NEWS : It was named the UK’s fourth best street for independent shops by American Express last December, he pointed out. Among its customers the shop boasts former Happy Mondays star and county resident Bez, now a “brand ambassador” for the shop, as well other British pop luminaries Richard Ashcroft of The Verve and former Creation Records boss Alan McGee.
Actor Tom Hardy has also been known to drop by. Giovanni Calandra (right) and assistant Hugo Camden of Calandras Menswear in Church Street, Hereford (Image: ROB DAVIES) “Here we can offer customer service, product knowledge, we make it a pleasant shopping experience,” Mr Calandra said. “We take pride in the street and work to keep it clean.
” After 15 years’ trading, he has now also opened a café, La Dolce Vita, on the opposite side of the street. “It’s part of the street’s eclectic mix,” he said. What are your thoughts? You can send a letter to the editor to have your say by clicking here .
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