A BRIDAL shop is to close its doors later this year after 14 years in the town.

Claire Louise Brides, in Radcliffe Road, was set up by mother-and-daughter team Claire Bromilow and Judith Stockton in 2003.

The pair prided themselves on helping brides-to-be find their dream gown, as well as their exceptional service and attention to detail.

However Mrs Stockton, who altered wedding dresses at the shop, took the decision to retire in January, aged 63.

Mrs Bromilow intended to continue operating the business one her own, but found the shop was unable to offer the ‘complete service’ it once had without her mum’s skills.

And the demands of bringing up four children and dealing with her other business interests meant the 38-year-old began to find running the shop something of a struggle.

She has now taken the ‘difficult decision’ to shut the shop on October 31.

Mrs Bromilow, who lives in The Haulgh, said it would be a sad day when she closes up for the final time.She said: “It’s sad even thinking about it. I put it on Facebook this morning and all of a sudden it feels real, but it’s time to move on, I think.”

She also paid glowing tribute to her mum’s contribution to the shop’s success: “She is a very talented lady and much loved and adore by many of our brides,” she added.

And Mrs Bromilow, said she would hugely miss running the shop.

“It’s just the absolute joy of being part of making that dream come true. It sounds really cliched when you say it out loud, but it’s such a special moment when a bride puts on her gown and says ‘that’s it, that’s the one’. “There’s been many tears of joy and it really has been a privilege to have been chosen by all those brides over the years.”

Mrs Bromilow will now concentrate on managing The Salon in Chorley Old Road and running bridal wholesale business AB Agencies with her husband Tony. She said: “I’m sad to see the shop go but excited about the future. Every story has an ending. This is our ending but, in life, every ending has a new beginning.”