Long serving trader celebrates milestone

Inches Curtains in Market Street has refurbished its store to help make the most of the building’s ground floor space.

Owner Karen Smithson said she was thrilled with her new-look shop.

“We have a comfy new area for viewing and choosing fabrics and a different approach to our famous window displays,” she said.

“They have been described as ‘better than Harvey Nichols’ so they have plenty to live up to.”

The business began selling fabrics, cushions and curtains in Cleckheaton’s indoor market in 1989.

The firm moved to a larger site in Albion Street before relocating to its current premises in 2007.

Mrs Smithson said: “I remember being so excited to have my own shop,but after a while having two premises just was not practical.

“Customers needed to squeeze past our stock to get to the front desk.

“I knew I wanted Inches to stay in Cleckheaton, so when the old Abdul Fashions and Bodyline building became available I knew it was perfect for us.”