Mansfield's Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams has welcomed a new retail unit tenant at the refurbished Old Town Hall.
Seamstress Suzanne Rawlinson, who specialises in bridal alterations and sewing classes, fell in love with the council-owned premises when relocating her business, Oh Sew Suzy, from White Hart Street.
She believes the Grade II* listed Old Town Hall is a stunning location that will provide a perfect experience for any bride-to-be or budding seamstress.
She will be holding an open day at her new outlet towards the end of the month, when visitors will be able to call in to find more information regarding her services and classes. Details will be confirmed on Instagram @ohsewsuzy (link opens in new window) or Facebook @ohsewsuzy (link opens in new window).
Suzanne joins Robins Return, an independent family-run business, selling personalised, unique and unusual gifts and interiors products, at the Old Town Hall, along with R&R Permanent Make-up Studio and Beauty Training.
Mansfield District Council's Town Centre Management team and Halo Recruitment are also based inside the building, while Victoria Hallam Hair Boutique has an exterior unit.
Mayor Andy said: "It's fantastic to welcome Oh Sew Suzy to the Old Town Hall which has attracted just the kind of unique independent traders we want to encourage to Mansfield.
"We hope Suzanne's business will go from strength to strength in its new place at the heart of our historic town centre.
"It will be a great place to learn new skills, too, which could help people up-cycle old clothes or even make their own."
Suzanne’s classes started nearly ten years ago at Carr Bank Stables and then at the Faff Rooms in Mansfield Woodhouse, before moving to a small workshop on White Hart Street two and a half years ago.
Her background is in bridal wear, and design and development for children's and ladies' wear, making sample garments to a high standard. Initially, she was working part-time in her business but went full-time after being made redundant from a local menswear company.
Suzanne’s sewing classes are for all levels and abilities. Some of her students got involved after she led Make Do and Mend workshops which ran for three years at Veolia’s materials recycle education centre in Forest Town, as part of a scheme to encourage people to mend and adapt clothing and soft furnishings rather than throwing them away.
She said: "I'm very excited to join the other businesses already here in the Old Town Hall. It will be a wonderful place for bridal parties to come for their fittings, ready for their big day or people starting on their creative journey with sewing classes.
"The classes have been small for the last couple of years due to distancing restrictions but the space I now have, will mean that we can have more sociable classes where people can work together and share their ideas while they`re learning something new.
"As I have come from an industry background I wanted to pass on my knowledge to make sure people can finish their garments to a good standard and have a nice fit. It`s so lovely to make a garment that you’re proud to wear."
All the internal units at the Old Town Hall are now fully let, bringing the 185-year-old premises back into full use for the first time for more than 30 years after undergoing a £1.4m refurbishment programme in 2018.