CLOTHING alterations and tailoring centre The ZipYard has been officially opened in Worcester by the city's Mayor, Cllr Paul Denham and his wife Lynn, the Mayoress.

The couple unzipped a specially made yellow six-foot zip at the business in The Shambles, which is a purpose designed centre offering a fast, professional clothing repair service with on-site seamstresses and private changing rooms in a retail environment.

Owner Paul Meredith said: "I’m delighted that Cllr Denham took the time out of his busy schedule to officially open my store. Since launching two months ago, business has really boomed and I’m enjoying every minute of it so far. My wife and I spent the last twenty years living and working in Africa and are so happy we decided to make the move back to our roots in Worcester. I’d always wanted to run my own business and be my own boss and I can’t believe I’m actually doing it now.

"I’m so happy the Worcester community has embraced The ZipYard and the services we offer. No appointments are necessary and we’ve got private fitting rooms so we can do any measuring right here. Most people don’t have the time or skills to repair or alter their own clothes and so many good garments are going to waste just hanging in the wardrobe. Now customers can bring these in and we’ll give them a new lease of life. Our seamstresses are amazing. If it can be done they can do it.”

Services include from dress re-styling and taking in or letting out garments to bridal-wear fitting or formal wear alterations. There are two on-site fitting rooms, where The ZipYard’s trained seamstresses can pin up alterations in situ. There is also a one hour express service for zips, hems and minor repairs.