An independent menswear retailer has built on its success by launching a womenswear floor just months after opening at Beverley’s popular Flemingate centre.

Fashion brand VERB now offers a hand-picked collection of Italian womenswear to complement its stylish men’s fashion and footwear range.

It follows the success of a limited summer range for ladies and responds to demand for a womenswear collection equivalent to the quality and choice offered to gentlemen customers.

VERB owner Lee Wardell said: “When we first opened in May we tested the water with a small selection of ladies fashion in keeping with our distinctive style, with a view to expanding our womenswear range.

“That has been very well received by our customers, so we’ve expanded onto the upper floor and created a dedicated area for our female customers.

“We commissioned a consultant to hand-pick a complete collection from Italy, complementing the men’s range, and offering a style and selection to suit all colour palettes at affordable prices. We also have some gorgeous accessories to give the final touch to an outfit.

“We’ve given the first floor a softer feel with floral displays and a more feminine style. There’s also a seating area where customers can relax with a cup of coffee while considering their purchases.”

Lee and his team pride themselves on offering top-quality service and fashion advice without a high-end price tag.

He added: “I’ve been in the fashion business for over 35 years and we specialise in giving our customers excellent service coupled with top styling and fashion advice, without inflated prices.

“Our new collection appeals to the target audience of 25-plus and we feel it fills a gap in the Beverley women’s fashion market.”

The new range was launched at a VIP preview evening with guests enjoying refreshments as they browsed the new collection. A stylish selection of footwear, handbags and jewellery accompany the range.

Three members of staff have been taken on as a result of the expansion.

Graham Tait, Flemingate Centre Manager, said: “It’s great that Lee and his team at VERB have been able to expand so soon after opening and they are now able to offer a full range to fashion-conscious ladies as well as gents.

“They’ve created a great space to showcase the new womenswear collection and recruited three additional members of staff, so it’s a real success story.

“This expansion means shoppers have even more choice from Flemingate’s wide range of high street and independent stores and it adds yet more appeal to Beverley as a visitor destination.”

Owned and developed by Hull-based regeneration company Wykeland Group, the fast-growing Flemingate centre has a host of major high street retailers, such as Debenhams, H&M and River Island, complemented by high-quality independents.

Flemingate’s leisure line-up includes Parkway Cinema and Theatre, Firepit Smokehouse and Sports Bar, Buca di Pizza, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Riva Lounge, Deli No.1 and Anytime Fitness.

VERB can be found next to independent jeweller Guest and Philips and is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5.30pm and Sundays, 11am to 4pm.

For more details visit the VERB website at www.verbfashion.co.uk  and follow the brand on Twitter: @verbFashion; Facebook: VerbFashionBev; and Instagram: verbfashion.