THE current trend for dressing our little darlings in designer gear is good news for a discounted children's fashion outlet which this week opened a temporary store in Nottingham city centre.
Rachel Mawby, 40, and Fran Bishop, 23, launched their third Chunk! shop, in Bridlesmith Gate, on Saturday and are in negotiations to take a fourth unit, in Doncaster.
It comes after the Nottinghamshire duo opened two stores in Radcliffe-on-Trent and Epworth, Lincolnshire, in October, despite only launching their business as an online retailer earlier this year.
Chunk! sells surplus stock from the likes of French Connection and Ted Baker for up to 80 per cent less than the recommended retail price.
After enquiring about another retail unit in the city centre, they were offered the Bridlesmith Gate unit for six weeks by Nottingham-based property agency FHP last week.
They accepted the deal – and moved in within 48 hours.
Mrs Bishop, who is originally from West Bridgford, explained: "This is an opportunity for us to see if we would work in Nottingham city centre, because we don't want to pass on the cost of a city centre location to our customers.
"We couldn't have asked for a better location. People come to this part of the town for quality."
Mrs Bishop, a marketing consultant and web designer whose footballer husband Neal Bishop is a former Notts County player, came up with the idea for the business after meeting women who spend a great deal on clothing for children.
The name of the business was inspired by Mrs Bishop's son, Oscar, who she affectionately refers to as "chunk".
After initially intending to sell second-hand clothing, they eventually settled on selling only brand new clothes bought directly from suppliers.
She added: "We are just parents who saw a gap in the market.
"Parents come into our shop complaining about the prices of retail chains.
"I think our most expensive item is £18.99, which is mad when you consider that come of the items retail for around £120.
"Our customers are very brand-conscious. They want quality with good prices and that's at the centre of what we do.
Mrs Mawby, of Bingham – a mum-of-three whose background is in finance – said: "Everyone wants to be able to dress their children in lovely clothes but not everyone can afford it.
"With us, they get quality at great prices."
Customer Jackie Brown, 64, of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, said: "It's a good place to find Christmas presents for grandchildren.
"The prices are better than I expected."
