weigh & mix

Age is No Barrier for Normanby Entrepreneurs

Two retired ladies from Normanby, have shown everyone that age and an economic recession has not deterred them from launching their new business.

Marion Brighton, 84, and her 64 year old daughter, Val Maynard, decided to take on the challenge of opening up their own shop, ‘Weigh and Mix’, using their pension and savings, after they decided retirement was not for them.

Born in 1925, Marion Brighton started her career as a nurse at Eston Hospital in 1945 towards the end of the World War II when she was just over 17 years old.  Eston hospital which closed in 1980, was originally built for ironstone workers who paid a penny a week from their wages for its upkeep.

Marion later worked in the accident and emergency department of Middlesbrough General Hospital for over 13 years until she retired in 1985.
Her daughter Val Maynard who retired in March 2009 from her role as an assistant catering manager for Redcar and Cleveland council said: “We both thought, nothing ventured, nothing gained, and so got the lease at the forecourt for a year from the owner of Bianca’s Pizza shop”, which is just yards from their shop.

“We looked at Normanby and found what was missing, was loose foods and hardware. And now we have looked at getting funding from the Enterprise Team.”

Barbara Anne Brooks who owns the wool shop next door, said: “The shop has been all sorts over the years. We need them here and it’s nice to get someone back in the shop. Were all trying to look after each other.”

Dick Maloney of Maloney and Sons Butchers, who has been working in what was originally his fathers shop for 36 years has also been very supportive of the two ladies. And Local barber Angelo who’s been there three years, said: “I wish them all the best, it’s a challenge, and it’s admirable.”

They have taken this traditional approach as they passionately believe there is still a market for single items as not everyone wants to buy bulk packaged goods and not everyone has large families to buy for. There is certainly a very traditional feel to the cluster of shops all supporting one another which making a refreshing change.

Their launch day on Friday July 10 had a few visitors mainly through word of mouth wanting to visit and wish them well.

Val continues, “We were laughing to ourselves about it, saying it’s a challenge to us, so we went to LEGI (Redcar Enterprise team) and we were pleasanlty surprised.

“LEGI have supported us and have been really helpful with good advice.”

Val and Marion would like to thank all the people who have supported them on the first day as well as the owners of, Maloney’s Butchers, Angelo’s barbers, and Barbara Brooks wool shop. They have helped both of them with good advice and general support.

Weigh and Mix is open between 9-4 Monday to Friday and closed Wednesday afternoons.