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DM Hall markets Haddington-based Footlights Dancewear business and freehold property at offers over £180,000

Posted: 1st May 2022

Retiring owner, Jo Sayer, is hopeful that her ‘destination shop’ should continue to serve the dancewear market in south east Scotland

DM Hall, one of Scotland’s leading independent firms of chartered surveyors, and which this year celebrates 125 years since its foundation, is marketing the sale of Footlights Dancewear, a Haddington-based dancewear and children’s shoe business, together with its freehold premises, at offers over £180,000.

Footlights Dancewear, trading from 15 Hardgate, Haddington, EH41 3JW, is a long-established business in a good trading position. A supplier of clothes and shoes for all dance disciplines, the business is also an accredited supplier of children’s shoes, stocking Start-rite, Lelli Kelly and other brands, as well as being the sole source of Rainbow, Brownie and Guiding uniforms within the region.

Retiring owner, Jo Sayer, said: “Footlights Dancewear is the only supplier and fitter of dance clothing and shoes within East Lothian, Midlothian and the Borders, and has a trusted affiliation with a large number of dance schools.

“I have put all my energies into developing the business over the last 18 years and making it what the local council describes as a destination shop. And since it has no immediate competition between central Edinburgh and Newcastle upon Tyne, that is a very favourable position to be in.

“I would like Footlights Dancewear to be acquired by someone who will continue to supply the demand that is clearly out there. I am even prepared to consider selling just the business while continuing to own the premises.

“Footlights Dancewear has traded profitably over the years by serving successfully the demands of the regional market, and there is no reason why it should not continue to do so under a new owner.”

Footlights, located on Hardgate at the intersection with Market Street, comprises a two-storey former dwellinghouse of traditional stone construction with a pitched slate roof, having been converted into a retail premises a number of years ago. The frontage provides two display windows with central entrance into the 1,043 sq. ft front sales area.

Haddington is a growing commuter town in East Lothian with an estimated resident population of approximately 12,000. It is the main administrative, cultural and geographical centre for East Lothian and just 20 miles west of Edinburgh.

Margaret Mitchell of DM Hall’s Edinburgh business sales department who is overseeing the marketing of the business and property said: “This is a unique opportunity for an individual or company to acquire a well-established and highly reputable business.

“Offers over £180,000 excluding stock are invited for the premises and goodwill. Stock is available by separate negotiation. Anyone interested in this business and property should contact me, margaret.mitchell@dmhall.co.uk.”

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