Published at 15:51, Wednesday, 18 November 2009

A COCKERMOUTH woman who owns an online business has opened a new shop in Carlisle. Lorraine Anderson-Cole, of Thackthwaite, runs her children’s party supplies business, My Party Angel online, but three weeks ago she started up in new premises in Carlisle’s Market Hall.

Lorraine Anderson- Cole: Her business My Party Angel is expanding

The mother-of-two said the move has meant raising the awareness of her business on a local level.

She said: “We’ve had a lot of interest in the short time the business has been open and it’s meant a chance for me to get all the stock out on display for people to see.

“The website is great but people want to see and feel what they’re buying a lot of the time. And the great location of the shop allows easy access for customers.

“It’s nice to have a base now.”

My Party Angel boasts over 1,000 products from supplies for the perfect kids party to fancy dress costumes for ages 18 months to 11 years.

It is one of the few shops in the country to sell fancy dress items by limited edition designer Travis – usually found in London stores Harrods and Hamleys.

And the business is Cumbria’s exclusive stockist of Ugly Dolls.

Lorraine said: “We have a wide range of toys for boys and girls from dolls houses and castles to detective kits and collectables. There’s something for everyone. We’ve even got eco-friendly products.”

Lorraine received support and funding from the Routes to Work project, the West Cumbria Development Agency and the North West Development Agency.

For the festive season, she is selling Christmas stockings from which some of the proceeds will go to charity.

As a keen advocate for the National Autistic Society, Lorraine will give £5 for every stocking sold.

Lorraine added: “I hope to raise £2,500 for the National Autistic Society. My aim is to raise awareness of autism, get people thinking differently about it and changes people’s attitudes towards it.”

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk