THE owner of a shop in the Lake District is ready to say goodbye to her clients after two decades of trading.

Gina Ricci, on Crescent Road in Windermere, is set to close on Friday October 13.

The independent shoe and accessories shop with high-class brands is owned by Vanda Whitton, who said it was time to close this chapter and retire.

She said: "I am only closing because I am retiring. I want to spend more time at home helping my husband at the farm. It is time to move on.

"We have had clients from all over the world and people that have come back to us year after year and every month buy more than three pairs of shoes at the time."

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Mrs Whitton said she bought the shop 20 years ago due to her love for shoes and retail and that the last her years as a business owner have been 'absolutely brilliant.'

She said: "When my clients found out I was closing they felt absolutely gutted and devastated."

Throughout the 20 years trading in Windermere, Mrs Whitton said she had seen 'changes' in the town and hopes to see more shops opening.

She said: "Everything is changing in the village all the time. The council keep allowing more cafes which will ruin Windermere because there are not that many people to eat in all the cafes. 

"They need shops to be of interest and it is just unfortunate that I'm retiring at this time. 

"It is time for younger people to move into it and do it."

Gina Ricci will remain open from Monday to Saturday from 9am until 5pm until its last day of trading.

The shop will be offering clients a closing-down sale with massive reductions across its shoes and accessories ranges.