Passion for business leads to new Jarrow venture for two South Tyneside businesswomen

Carol Gibson, who runs furniture firm Deja Vu, in Jarrow, and Mandy Trueman, who owns Wings of Scent, at Bill Quay, have opened the doors to their new shop in Fellgate.

The businesswomen became friends after bonding over their passion for their respective firms and love of South Tyneside.

The new venue is in addition to their own individual shops which they continue to run.

Mandy said: “I started my business last year and eventually I was able to move it from my home into premises in Bill Quay.

“I was selling good from Deja Vu and that’s how myself and Carol became friends.

“We started to work closely and go to trade shows together. Then we started talking about opening a shop together.

“The shop we have taken over used to be Rustic Blooms.

“The girls who had been running it had gone back to their previous jobs so when the chance came up to buy it we decided to go for it.

“We had been looking previously for a place in Hebburn, but this was ideal.”

She added: “We had a week to get everything sorted before we were opening, so we worked around the clock to make it happen.”

The shop - in Leicester Way, Fellgate, Jarrow - was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of South Tyneside Coun Ken Stephenson and Cathy Stephenson, on Monday.

The store sells a range of items from melts, mirrors, jewellery, collectables furniture and Italian fashion.

Carol said: “I live in Fellgate so when the shop became available it was ideal. I’m very territorial in that I want the area where I live to do well and the local economy to prosper.

“Everything is going great, we have both been that busy our feet haven’t touched the ground.

“There is such a strong community in South Tyneside and we have had such a lot of support from people.”

“We have such a big following and people are spreading the news that we are now open for business, so we are getting a lot of new customers through the doors.

“For the future, it would be great to open up a shop in a high street but always keeping it local. I wouldn’t want to be going out of the area.”

For details of the new shop, visit DeJa Vu and Wings of Scent on Facebook.