First look: Designer shop bags blooming great spot in York
York roses have bloomed in Shambles – as a designer accessories brand celebrates its long awaited move into the city.
Zatchels officially opened its Shambles store on Friday, June 6 with a window display dedicated to its new line of leather bags featuring the York rose design.
Launched in 2011 to reboot the traditional English satchel for the 21st century, Zatchels now exports its bags to Japan, Australia, the US and Italy.
It has stores in London’s swish Westfield shopping centre, Essex and its home city of Leicester.
But directors Dean Clarke and Brian Brady revealed today that they originally wanted their first shop to be in York.
They began looking for premises in the city 18 months ago but couldn’t find anywhere suitable.
“York was always our first choice,” Brian said.
They said a city combining a modern outlook with impressive heritage fitted the Zatchels brand. But the key factor is the footfall generated by so many tourists.
So when the premises at 18 Shambles became available, they had the deal snapped up within a week.
“It’s not just about tourists – we want people from the local area to come into the shop,” Dean said.
“We’re hoping our shop will start to draw more local people down the street.”
“We were blown away by the space, and the welcome from people in Shambles,” Brian added. “This is such a friendly place to be.”
They have refitted the interior of the shop and it is the first to showcase the company’s new fox branding.
Range and prices
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Click on the images for a closer look
The leather satchel, based on a classic English design dating back to the 1920s, is the cornerstone of the collection.
They come in a large selection of colours. The best-selling 17.5 inch red satchel is on sale at £125, while a micro satchel costs £75.
The York rose satchels, tote and saddle bags, created to mark the opening of the Shambles store, are in pastel shades with floral artwork.
They are in sale in York only for a week before being made available to Londoners later in June. A York rose satchel costs £120.
Barrel bags start at £50, and a quilted tote bag is £115.
Zatchels has recently launched a men’s range, with backpacks priced at £155 and messenger bags at £175.