RETAIL entrepreneur Natalie Carr is aiming to provide affordable glamour after taking over a long-established dress shop in Cleckheaton. .

After Dark, in Brooklyn Court, was given a civic re-launch by the Mayor and Mayoress of Kirklees after Natalie took over the business, which has been open for around 20 years, specialises in prom, evening, bridesmaid and wedding dresses

The new owner is the daughter of the late Linda and Paul Spencer who started the Country Baskets crafts accessories business  and worked with her parents until their deaths in a helicopter crash in 2008.

Natalie, who has has spent all her career in retail, said: "My mother, who was the founder of Country Baskets, started her career with a small boutique in Bradford so I like to think that I am now following in her entrepreneurial footsteps. Apparently, I am the only evening wear shop in West Yorkshire that still hires out dresses which fits with my aim to provide affordable glamour for all."

A study by American Express shows the positive impact of social media on small high street businesses .

It says that 75 per cent of Yorkshire respondents said they are likely to use small shops and support local businesses this Christmas, 82 per cent would recommend small shops by word of mouth, while 47 per cent would do so using social media.

Positive comments or eye-catching images on social media could generate more than £1,200 in additional revenue for a recommended shopkeeper from new customers.