The latest casualty of the UK’s changing retail landscape is Revamp, the much-loved fancy dress and hire shop based in Brighton’s North Laines, which will be closing its doors after 32 years in business.
The bright pink Revamp has become a Brighton institution over the years but will shut up shop for the final time tomorrow, on Saturday 16 June.
The current owners, husband and wife Lynette Norris and Tom Mugridge, said Revamp has been gradually driven out of business by recession, rail problems and the expansion of the internet.
Sandra Williams started Revamp in 1986, originally selling 1950s clothing and accessories before expanding to include general fancy dress and accessories. It became particularly well-known for its 60s and 70s clothing and platform shoes, which were featured in the film Velvet Goldmine starring Eddie Izzard and Ewan McGregor.
The shop has been a popular go-to for almost every event in Brighton’s colourful calendar, from Halloween and New Year to the Children’s Parade and Pride.
“It’s really sad that the shop is closing after 32 years. I started it from nothing,” said Sandra. “I hoped it wouldn’t come to this because we provided such good customer service. People have been telling me they can’t believe it is closing.”
Lynette and Tom Mugridge took over the shop when Sandra retired in 2007 and are now selling off the vast collection of stock with both hire and retail costumes being sold at massive reductions.
“Some very flamboyant outfits have come out of this shop over the years, and glitter has been a mainstay of this shop since it opened. “We had queues down the street every Halloween and had to make it one in one out because it got so hot!” said Lynette. “The shop has had a good innings and it has been quite a gradual decline, but it is a real shame.”
