A former baguette bar in Swindon has been given a new lease of life after being transformed into a specialist shop.
Tina Mason started her own business making hats to match dresses and outfits for all occasions six years ago, and quit her previous job as a beauty therapist to turn her hobby into a full-time career last December.
After getting her professional qualifications in February 2020, the 52-year-old spent the lockdown perfecting her craft, experimenting, and learning from international experts online.
When she and her husband noticed that the Baguette Bar on Prospect Place was available to buy, they sold their Haydon Wick home to snap it up in March, then spent months making it a suitable space for her store while moving into the flat on the floor above.
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Tina told the Adver: "I've always been a hat lover and grew frustrated with not being able to find something that went with my outfits, so I started customising hats from the Outlet - retrimming them - and then learned how to make the hats themselves from a retired milliner.
"I've been trading through wedding fairs and became frustrated with having to carry around a table and my things everywhere I went, so I wanted a nice space where customers could discuss their needs.
"I never thought this would become a full-time profession but I surprised myself with how good I was and how much of a call there was for the service I provide.
"It's a big leap into the retail world but I've been welcomed into the community wholeheartedly, as people are really interested in what I'm doing.
"The building has had a lot of TLC - Tina's loving care - as we've replaced the timbers, cleaned away the graffiti and carried out a sympathetic restoration."
Mason Millinery sells bespoke prize-winning headwear which has been handcrafted in Wiltshire and attracts customers from far and wide.
Tina recently had the honour of making a hat for Swindon's new town crier, Rob Hardy.
She ensured the fine piece of headwear had the right weight of felt, robust brim edging, fitted leather sweatband, embroidered lining, a colour-matching petersham ribbon trim, and the special addition of an historic GWR badge sourced from an online antique dealer.
Photographer Jeanette Ellis documented this momentous occasion.
Sharing news about the shop on social media, Jeanette said: "Tina's shop has been a labour of love - restoring lots of the original detail and ensuring the history of this shop continues.
"How incredibly lucky that Old Town has such a beautiful Millinery Shop."Tina has worked so incredibly hard to do this and would love you to pop in and take a look and say hello."
Tina added: "I was really passionate about making sure it was historically accurate as possible. Rob was delighted that it fitted so comfortably, he was chuffed to bits and beaming.
"That's the attention to detail people can expect when they come here. I always do a perfect colour match and everything is handcrafted on the premises.
"I can spend up to a week solidly working on one hat, or a fascinator can be done in a couple of hours.
"It's nice that ladies can buy any dress they want and feel comfortable with their signature style knowing someone can help turn that into a wedding outfit."
Although the grand opening is not until February 28 next year, some customers have already had a chance to look around and do some Christmas shopping within the last two weeks.
It will be open by appointment only for the next three months.