Hidden Jem trader Julie Moores believes Knutsford can cash in on tourism (From Knutsford Guardian)

4:20pm Saturday 4th July 2009

A TRADER who last week opened a store in Knutsford believes businesses can cash in on the area’s tourism.

Julie Moores, who also runs The Hidden Jem in Lytham St Annes, said she chose the town over Wilmslow and Hale.

“It was just about finding the right premises. Knutsford is just perfect for this type of shop,” she said.

“It’s like Lytham because people come for the day and go to places like Tatton Park.”

The Hidden Jem already has gift shops in Lytham St Annes and Ramsbottom.

It opened its new store in King Street on Saturday.

The two-year-old business, which also sells items including quilts, furniture and local artwork, moved into the former Box 2 store.

Mrs Moores said she realised there were other gift shops in Knutsford, but The Hidden Jem would sell different stock.

“They do sell a few things that we do, so we’ve changed what’s going to be in the shop slightly,” she said.

Last week there were still more than 10 empty shops in the town centre.

But estate agent Meller Braggins, in Princess Street, said interest in the properties has increased in recent weeks.

“I would say it’s improved slightly over the past few weeks,” said Nigel Townsend, head of commercial property.

A company had been due to move into the former Max Samuel and Authentic Kitchen Co shops – 121 and 119 – in King Street.

But the business recently pulled out of the deal for personal reasons.

However, Meller Braggins said another business was now looking into one of the properties.

“At the moment we’ve got someone else interested in 119,” he said.

Two of the most prominent properties that are still empty are the former Cinta and Oliver’s Greengrocer’s stores in Canute Square.

Mr Townsend said the town centre would just take time to recover from the effects of the recession.

“The number of calls has started to increase.

“But it’s going got take a little while to build back up to what it was,” he said.

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