Stylish addition to Silsden's retail reputationThe Carelli B fashion and accessories shop at 82 Kirkgate will soon be completing a successful first year in Silsden.  

Owner Beverley Ford, from Bingley, had spent nearly 30 years in education, starting as a secretary at Beckfoot School before becoming an extended services manager at Crossflatts Primary and then for the last 10 years at Burnley Upper School. But with increasing demands on the role, which involved running numerous special projects for young students, and ever-shrinking funding Beverley decided it was time for a complete change and opened Carelli B in March 2018.  Her previous retail experience had been a shoe shop she owned in Bingley for two years.

The shop has proved popular across all age ranges beyond teenagers, who are more likely to buy online. "My customers still like to see and feel and try on garments before buying," says Beverley, who sources most of her ranges from suppliers in Manchester. The name Carelli B comes from her granddaughters, Carmen and Ellie, and B for Beverley. My blog of September 12th, 2013, shows No. 82 Kirkgate as a barber's in about 1912. In the 1950s, No. 82 was well-known as Mr Sanderson's sweet shop. It has seen many changes of trade since then.