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Mary Portas comes to the aid a ladies' boutique in York fighting for survival as the owner struggles to attract York's sophisticated forty-somethings over the threshold.

Retail guru Mary Portas comes to the aid a ladies' boutique in York fighting for survival. A fabulous building and a wonderful location have not been enough to attract York's sophisticated forty-somethings over the threshold and when Mary visits for the first time, the reason why is crystal clear.

Lucy Weller's Halloween-themed window says second-hand shop rather than fashion emporium and inside it is apparent that Lucy has forgotten that she is selling fashion, instead giving pride of place to ironing boards and doll's houses.

To show Lucy where she is going wrong, Mary takes her to 'The Shop' to meet the visionary behind one of the most individual independent fashion stores in the country and to Liberty, where Mary has convinced the department store's creative director to hold back her key window for Lucy to dress.

With the pick of the department store's top designer collections, however, the day still ends in tears as Mary struggles to turn a theatrical novice into a hard-nosed retailer.

59 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Mary Portas
Presenter Mary Portas
Director Michael Jochnowitz
Director Michael Jochnowitz
Series Producer Martyn Smith
Series Producer Martyn Smith
Executive Producer Becky Clarke
Executive Producer Becky Clarke

Broadcasts