Sevenoaks lingerie store UnderCover to close as owner quits
September 19, 2012 by admin
Filed under Latest Lingerie News
AFTER more than three decades in the town, Sevenoaks’ only lingerie specialist is shutting its doors.
UnderCover, famous for its fitting service, has been trading in the town for 35 years – first in London Road, then in Bank Street.
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BARING ALL: Manager Amanda Jeffery outside UnderCover in Bank Street, Sevenoaks, which is slashing prices and selling furniture before closing TWLD20120906D-001_C
But due to owner Beryl Fellows’ ill health, it will cease business on Saturday.
Mrs Fellows has run the shop for 15 years.
She said her first priority is to thank all the customers and to tell them how much their loyalty has been appreciated.
She is now throwing open the doors of the store to customers, with stock prices slashed and the antique fittings up for sale.
Hanging rails, island display units, mirrors, soft furnishings and wardrobes are all up for grabs alongside nightgowns, underwear and negligees.
Mrs Fellows said: “I have been running the business down gradually for the past few years.
“I had hoped someone would buy it from me, but unfortunately, with empty shops nearby, it doesn’t look as though it’s going to happen.
“I’m not running the town down – Sevenoaks is lovely and it’s been wonderful to work here.
“I’m just so sad nobody wanted to buy the shop and keep it as a store here. It’s very sad for it to end like this.
“But I am not well enough to keep it up anymore. Sadly, I’ve had to make some redundancies but I am really hoping someone will pick my staff up.”
Manager Amanda Jeffery has worked at the store for a number of years.
She said: “We want to thank all our customers for their support and custom over the years.
“We will really miss being here – it’s been a great location. Now we need to sell off the stock and the fittings.”
UnderCover is known throughout Kent for its fitting service, including post and pre-operative fittings and help for mastectomy patients.
It is the only dedicated lingerie shop in the town and surrounding villages.
Kathryn Curry, who loved browsing UnderCover when she lived in Nutfields, Ightham, said: “It is a lovely little shop.
“It is small and private and they would get anything you needed in for you if they didn’t have it.
“I liked the personal service – buying underwear is a private and personal thing.
“It’s a shame for Sevenoaks to be losing any of its independent shops, because that’s what makes it special.
“I have to say, it is terribly expensive, though.”
The shop will close for good on September 22. Stock will be marked down until sold. Gift items and credit notes must be presented before or on September 21 and there are no returns or exchanges on sale items.
