Online clothes business booms (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Online clothes business booms

LADY Apsley's online business selling second-hand and designer clothes has gone from strength to strength.

In fact, so much so that the budding businesswoman has opened up a new showroom near the Royal Agricultural College.

Lady Apsley, of Cirencester Park, launched www.clothesagency.com last year with business partner Alexandra Barnes.

They felt the internet was a great market place for second-hand clothes and accessories of all styles and for all manner of occasions.

Lady Apsley said: "It has been a huge learning curve. Alex and I went into this not knowing much about the internet at all.

"We leapt in at the deep end, but we really enjoy it and the business has grown with such speed.

"But we have all these beautiful clothes tucked away and want to share them with everybody who doesn't have a computer.

"There are such glorious things and it is a great place for people to drop in and have a glass of something and enjoy what we have.

"It is all very informal and we are very excited about the new venture."

Clothes Agency's new showroom is situated off the Tetbury Road at the College Farm Buildings (Unit Nine) and officially opens on Monday (Sept 5).

It offers a commission-based service, although for every sale made the agency makes a donation to The Alzheimer's Society.

However, the online service does not charge sale commissions for independent sellers and listing fees go no higher than £1.25 per month.

As well as the UK, the site has attracted members as far afield as Australia, the United States, the Seychelles and even Papua New Guinea.

Unlike high street dress agencies the online shop is not restricted by seasonal fashions as its clientele is global.

Lady Apsley added: "When people come in and bring us things we want them to feel very relaxed - we want to be accessible to everybody."

She is also delighted to welcome Heidi Hadfield, of Revive Dress Agency, to the team, who she says brings a wealth of business acumen.

For more information visit www.clothesagency.com or call 01285 885283.