High street business expands with new laundrette and clothing shop to open soon

A London businessman who opened a bespoke tailor’s shop on Forres High Street a year ago, is expanding into additional premises just a few doors down.

Alberto Ricci will launch a new laundrette, dry cleaners and clothing boutique in the shop that formerly housed Younie’s and Sandra’s Home Comforts for many years.

He will keep his bespoke tailoring business at Number 132, offering bespoke tailoring and all aspect of clothing alterations including wedding dresses and leather repairs.

And work has already begun at 126 High Street, with the outside now sporting Alberto’s bright green branding, and he’s started stripping the inside ready for the industrial washing machines and other equipment coming in.

Clothes will be made in Forres

Not only is the Italian-born tailor going to bring much-needed services to the town, he said within a year, he will be manufacturing the clothing he sells in the shop.

Alberto said: “We are going to have a boutique for men and women, dry cleaning and a laundrette.”

“We’ll buy in clothing in the beginning. But next year I will be making all my stock clothing here in Forres.”

Alberto has acquired customers from near and far since opening in the town. He cites customers from Elgin, Aviemore, Beauly, Keith, even Newcastle and Ireland.

The premises he has obtained have a large sales space and rooms at the back. He has signed a five-year lease and says he hopes his son, who is currently working abroad, will follow him into the business.

Welcome boost for the town

The town has lost a number of shops in recent months, so this will be a welcome sight for shoppers.

And it’s a boost for employment too. With Alberto remaining in his tailoring shop, he will be looking for staff at the new premises when it opens.

He’s currently waiting for equipment to be delivered, and hopes to have an opening date soon.

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