Cornish Lingerie Retailer Mish Named as ‘Inspiring Independent’

Independent retailers all across the UK have found the recent pandemic challenging, but one inspiring Cornish retailer has been nationally recognised for their innovative approach to business during lockdown. 

Michele Poynter, founder of Mish (the independent lingerie store based in Wadebridge), has been named in  Drapers’ “Inspiring Independents” list which highlights some of the best independent businesses across the UK.

Poynter started Mish from her bedroom 10 years ago after struggling to find beautiful bras for a larger bust. She says, “Due to the pandemic, the Drapers’ Independent Awards (which we have won three years in succession) is not going ahead this year, but to be named as one of Drapers’ Inspiring Independents is truly an honour of which we are mightily proud. The business is  doing really well despite the most challenging year we have ever faced, and I’m delighted we can reopen our doors again to welcome customers back for bra fittings in our beautifully spacious boutique!”

During the first lockdown, Michele  introduced an innovative virtual bra fitting service to ensure that her customers’ needs could be met and the business remained steady in such uncertain times.

While doing all this, Michele also raised over £14,000 in donations and co-orchestrated a team of volunteers to make 2000 pairs of scrubs and 4,000 face masks for NHS key workers and caregivers. She tirelessly gave all of her time, overseeing a seamless logistics system which enabled the scrubs her volunteers had made to be delivered straight to the NHS keyworkers who so desperately needed them.

Drapers has been the leading authority on fashion retailing in the UK since 6 August 1887.   

Michele continues, “I am so proud of the brand I’ve created and it’s all thanks to the incredible team of women I have working with me. I’d like to say a big thanks to them, and also to my loyal customers - without whom I would not have reached a decade of such award-winning success!”

Since 2018 Mish has held  the crown as the UK's Best Lingerie Retailer”and  their continued recognition as a powerful force in the independent retail sector is a wonderful asset for Cornwall as a whole. To shop Mish online go to www.mish-online.co.uk.