Pretty Flamingo gift shop opens on Market Street, Hexham

Pretty Flamingo, based on Market Street, opened in the existing premises of the Studio 19 hair salon on September 19.

Outside Pretty Flamingo on Market Street (Image: Newsquest)

Trish Hannant has owned Studio 19 since 2005 and officially retired from hairdressing on September 9, just before the gift shop opened.

She still owns the salon, which is open Tuesday-Saturday.

Hanging ornaments at Pretty Flamingo (Image: Newsquest)

"It's two shops within the one business," she said.

"After 43 years, I decided it was time to hang up the scissors, but I wanted to do something else. I fancied retail," Trish, who lives in Hexham, said. 

Bridal hair accessories (Image: Newsquest)

"I like quirky things and I just wanted to sell quirky things, items that nowhere else had."

The outside of the shop in 1926, when it was a shoe and boot shop owned by R Welch (Image: Newsquest)

Trish stocks items from various artists and businesses including Moongazer Cards, jewellery from Suzie Blue and accessories brand Millie Mae, all of which do not supply to any other Hexham businesses.

Moongazer Cards, which sell exclusively to Pretty Flamingo (Image: Newsquest)

She added she hopes to be sustainable where possible and through the companies she sources items from. 

Pretty Flamingo stocks a range of 'eclectic' items from slipper socks to cards, jewellery, wedding and hair accessories and even dreamcatchers and fairies.

Bridal hair accessories (Image: Newsquest)

"If there's anything that isn't being sold here or sold in Hexham and people would like to see it, ask me and I'll see if I can get it in."

She also encouraged people to browse regularly in the shop as she will change stock often.

Stock at Pretty Flamingo (Image: Newsquest)

"Once things have been sold, I'm not buying them in again so there's going to be something new all the time."

Trish said the community reaction from customers and business owners has been 'smashing'. 

Jewellery on sale at the shop (Image: Newsquest)

"The shop owners themselves, especially on Market Street and Market Place, have been amazing. We are a close community and we're all here to help each other."

Trish had a few final words of wisdom for shoppers searching for the perfect item. "When you're on any street, always walk down to the bottom because you never know what could be in that final shop," she added.