A NORTHWICH bridal shop has toasted to its future after celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Cherish Bridal, based in Middlewich Road, opened up in the town on June 28, 2007.

Tracy Hollinshead, owner of Cherish Bridal, said much of her success over the last decade has stemmed through word of mouth.

Tracy, from Northwich, said: “It is the support I’ve had from the community, from friends and family and word of mouth. It’s gone a long way.

“Also support from people in the industry as well, that has helped me.

“It’s been a nice big circle of people who have helped me along.”

Like many independent businesses, the shop has seen some difficult times over the last decade.

Within six months of the shop opening, the UK was hit by a recession due to the financial crisis.

And with Brexit looming, Tracy fears there will be tough times ahead.

She said: “When we first opened, six months later the UK went into a recession, then we had that double dip inbetween.

“Now with Brexit next, the next few years are going to be a toughie, but

we will try.”

Tracy said changing shopper habits have also posed a significant challenge to the business.

She said: “It’s things like online selling over the years that has increased, we’re fighting against that, fighting against eBay, Amazon and fighting against Chinese copies.

“And also there is the competition in the area, which has changed a lot over the last 10 years.

“Shops have come and gone. It’s nice that I am still here.”

Tracy said she would love to expand the business, but said it would not be something she would puruse under the current economic climate.

She said: “I would love to open another shop, but I’ve got to be sensible with everything going on at present.

"It’s not the right time to be doing that. I have to protect what I’ve got, to nurture that.”

For now, Tracy wants to continue doing what she is doing, and helping provide the best possible service she can.

She said: “There’s always peaks and troughs in the industry, but it’s the support from our customers that sees us through.

“I have to make sure customer service is 110 per cent to make sure we provide the best service.”

She added: “I just want to say thank you to everyone who have supported me and to the customers who recommended me to their family and friends.

“I want to say a massive thank you to everyone.”