By Matthew Legg

Last updated at 16:00, Friday, 08 April 2011

A Cumbrian retail business is proving to be the gift that keeps on giving for its ambitious owners.

David and Jayne Gardiner have opened a second branch of gift store Give It – just two years after the business was launched in Stanwix.

Their new shop – in Brampton – stocks gifts and toys including many one-off pieces by Cumbrian designers.

It also stocks Cath Kidston products, the ‘Herdys’ range of sheep-inspired knick-knacks and Momiji message dolls – a new Japanese craze popular with teenagers.

For Jayne, who unexpectedly inherited the company when her brother could no longer run it, it has been a whirlwind introduction to retailing.

“Running my own business was something I had never thought about,” said Jayne, of Edmond Castle, Hayton.

“My brother opened the Stanwix shop after he was made redundant in 2009.

“Shortly after, he got another job and couldn’t run the shop, so I took it on.

“It has been a steep learning curve definitely, but it has gone really well,” she added.

“We had thought about extending the shop at Stanwix, but we spotted this building in Brampton, saw the potential and decided to open up here as well.

Jayne added: “I tend to stock things that I like myself.

“I lived in an exclusive part of London for 12 years, working as a nanny for wealthy families, so I picked up an eye for style.

“We are always researching and going to different towns to see what they are offering. I think the shop is unique in Brampton and we’ve had a lot of positive comments from people who have been in.

“We want it to be the kind of shop you would find somewhere like Keswick,” said Jayne.

“It is a tough time for retailing, but people still need to buy gifts for special occasions, so we’re confident it will be a success.”

First published at 14:06, Friday, 08 April 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk