A COLLABORATION between friends, family, and local traders has blossomed into a one-stop shop for treats and special occasions.
Making their way out of the soon-to-be-demolished Hardshaw Centre, traders Tracey Gerrard and Tracy Heaton decided to join forces and merge their businesses as they could not afford a shop unit on their own.
Combining their artificial flower stalls and sweet kiosks, 'Infinity Occasions' launched in Church Square shopping centre in December 2022, just in time for Christmas.
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Bringing in a third Tracy in Tracy O'Neill and her daughter Chantelle, who also have experience working in retail in the Hardshaw Centre, the business further expanded to provide services such as t-shirt printing and venue decorations.
Although the business owners have faced difficulties in relocating during a cost of living crisis, they have found a new lease of life by working alongside friends and offering a variety of creative products.
Tracey, from Parr, said: "I think we did move at one of the worst possible times during a cost of living crisis, because when we moved, everything was going up and [bills are] a lot more expensive.
"We have good days and bad days, but we have had some really busy days over Christmas, and on Mother's Day and Valentine's Day.
"We have started from scratch really, but we're enjoying it and we get to be a bit more creative with the venue decorations - it's something different every day!"
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Offering a wide range of services, some customers have hired out the business for the day to receive decorations, flowers, and sweet treats on a special occasion.
While the cost of living has brought forward financial difficulties, the business owners said that one of their main mantras is keeping prices low.
As more Hardshaw Centre businesses will soon move out of the shopping centre in preparation of St Helens' regneration plans, the traders say that they hope this will create a more vibrant shopping area in Church Square that attracts more shoppers.
Growing their reputation as the rest of the town centre undergoes a much-needed transformation, the business owners say they are hopeful and optimistic for the future.
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