Bernard Boutique, a cherished womenswear shop in Esher, Surrey, has announced its closing date.
- Founded in 1969, Bernard Boutique has been a staple on Esher’s High Street for over 40 years.
- The boutique’s last trading day is set for Saturday, 8 June.
- The co-founder cited health reasons for the closure, expressing a desire for relaxation and family time.
- The boutique’s website has been inaccessible since late May, affecting its operations.
Bernard Boutique, renowned for its premium womenswear, will close the doors to its beloved Esher store later this week. This decision marks the end of an era for a business that has been a fixture in the local community for over four decades.
Originally founded in 1969 by Helene Rapaport, the boutique moved to Esher High Street in 1972, becoming a cherished destination for fashion enthusiasts. The shop’s closing day has been confirmed as Saturday, 8 June, concluding its longstanding physical presence.
Rapaport, who was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Drapers Independents Awards in 2023, noted health priorities as the reason behind the closure. “If we could, we would stay in business forever as we have loved every single minute of it, but health now comes first and Barrie [Rapaport, Bernard Boutiques’s co-founder] and I look forward to some relaxing holidays and family time,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
The boutique, known for delivering half its sales via its website, experienced operational hindrances as the site has been down since late May. This digital presence, launched in 2015, accounted for a significant portion of their business.
Famed for hosting contemporary fashion labels like Ganni and Isabel Marant, the store derived a majority of its revenue, between 60% and 70%, from womenswear sales. Footwear and lifestyle items also contributed notably to sales, featuring brands like Veja and Golden Goose.
Throughout its history, Bernard Boutique has garnered industry acclaim, winning Designer Store of the Year and Top Buyer of the Year at the Drapers Awards in 1997 and 1998 respectively.
The closure of Bernard Boutique marks the end of a significant chapter in Esher’s retail landscape, commemorated by its rich history and community impact.
