LACIES OF HOVE

REFURBISHMENT BLOG

LACIES, 164 PORTLAND ROAD HOVE EAST SUSSEX BN3 1QL Tel 01273 7120656 11am-5pm monds-Sats

One of only 2 transgender shops in the south of England is currently undergoing a complete transformation. This is intended to be a blog following the changes. For main shopping website www.fantasygirl.co.uk

MAY 30TH

We are really pleased to announce that Lacies of Hove will get a new manageress, in the form of Michele Swann. Those familiar with Lacies or Fantasy Girl who remember Michelle far from being being a new girl was manageress back in 2004-6. Since then Dr Swann as she is known in the business world has been on her travels working in laboratories in South Wales and latterly Somerset. She now feels her travelling days are over and she is looking forward to her new challenge at Lacies.

MAY 31ST

It is with great sadness that we must announce the parting of ways with our Saturday girl Kelly. She is extremely intelligent and has contributed enormously to Lacies. However, it is time to move on Kelly is exploring her male self and we wish her well for her new career in design.

JUNE 2nd   BUILDING WORK BEGINS Lacies will be open as usual staffed as usual by Dessie  however we are getting our builders in so they may be some disruption.

Just back from Hove can report that things are going really nicely the builders with their tight schedule have pared everything back to the bare walls.

1. The Building Site viewed from the middle of the shop (aka the Shoe area of the shop !!)

I called this photo what's in the back, maybe it should be who's in the back ?? And are they working in 5 inch heels and a mini skirt ??

2.A large empty space. This is a view of back wall from other side of the plastic sheet

This reveals a large amount of empty space which was previously wasted 'very messy and untidy' was Mish's opinion however we now intend to utilize fully. NOTE They was some shelving on the right which has been completely removed ready for slat wall which will arrive at about midday tomorrow. The photo's at the back are a montage of TG images taken locally mixed with photo's cut out of magazines. We may keep this or may alter it

3. View from the left hand side of the rear of the Shop.

Although there is slat wall, which makes life easier it is a bit tired looked and needs to be decorated to fit in with the new overall theme of the Rear part of the shop which will be a bit more fetishy than the front which will be more soft and satiny.  

4. Dessie in full action, dressed  to thrill .. with a electric drill !!

Just a bit of fun during the builders rest breaks see's stunningly sexy diva Dessie demonstrate how not to use a drill !!

This area is going to be slightly but not over the top fetish area. We intend to sell PVC and Rubber clothing and maybe fetish accessories. If you have any comments on what you'd like to see here please e mail me sue@fantasygirl.co.uk

JUNE 5TH        UPDATE PROGRESS SO FAR ..

Today we saw the completion of resurrecting slate wall to the rear of the shop. Although the shop still looks a bit barren this completion nonetheless marks the end of a major part of the construction of the wall. We are so determined that the new look shop looks absolutely stunning we are going to take a look at some 5 star rated adult shops in Brighton most notably Taboo sex shop in central Brighton.

Our next step will be to decorate this section and then lay out flooring. Once this is done we can then proceed  to the smaller middle section aka as the shoe section of Lacies Hove shop. NOTE The disappearance of the TG Montague. I did take a fairly close up photo of it which we will publish virtually. !!!

JUNE 10TH Progress Report

Latest picture taken by Michelle today Tuesday shows some of the subtle touches that will make this shop look like a designer boutique.

Shop is still open as usual work  is still in progress on the back part of the shop. The rest of the shop is still open an actually we are busier than ever. Last week was the best week since last November due in part to the fact we have new Satin outerwear and underwear from Thailand in stock 1! click here for details

Work continues Friday 13th June 2008

Work is continuing apace the back room is nearly done carpets a sort of purple colour and wall lights have been ordered and will be installed as soon as they arrive Monday or Tuesday next week. By the end of next week the rear room will have been completed and the middle room will be completed also as it shares the same carpet and is a much smaller space.

The rear room will have a slightly dark fetish feel about it whilst the middle room will be a feminine area for outer wear and sissy clothing which is proving extremely popular at the moment. Unfortunately the Hove shop will be shut Saturday 14th June but will be open as usual on Monday 16th - Friday 20th June - Saturdays open is yet to be confirmed.  Thereafter there is a chance of closure due to the fact we will be working on the front of the shop. The last part to be transformed. Hopefully by July all will be finished. 

To main fantasygirl wbsite www.fantasygirlgirl.co.uk

Progress report 17th June 2008

Back room nearly finished Tuesday, 17th June 2008

Above photo shows Mish in the rear part of Lacies with newly fitted purple carpets and finished decorating and wall panels . I believe she added stock just to give it an impression of what it will look like full of mouth watering goodies satin and sexy high heeled shoes.

Although it will look even better when we are finished Mish intends to put a mirror on the back to give it that gothic look and to cater for those oh so van Trans girls to gorp at themselves in it Today or Wednesday we hope to have receiving the new lighting fixtures which will be the end of this section's work. Leaving only touching up to do..

Latest Report Thursday 19th June 2008

Back room and 1st view of work done on middle area Thursday, 17th June 2008

Back room complete almost still needs new lighting installed.

Slightly dark photo of rear of room - for some reason flash didn't come on May I say hi to sexy steph the bus driver who often looks in on this page. Hope you had a nice shift driving that bus round busy Brighton !!

UPDATE JUNE 20TH BACK AND MIDDLE OF SHOP ALMOST COMPLETE

Latest photo taken by Mish on my birthday 20th June 2008 (21 again!!). Note carpet is completely down on both back section and middle section, we have begun to put stock out in this section taking it form the front of the shop. The front of the shop will be completely emptied by tonight ready for work to start here. We have decided to start by repainting from the ceiling downwards and this includes brand new carpet for the whole of the front of the shop as the old carpet is looking a little worse for wear.

THIS SHOP WILL  BE SHUT  FROM SATURDAY 21ST JUNE AND AGAIN SHUT MONDAY 23RD JUNE AND MOST OF THE WEEK -We are beginning the task of redecorating the front of the shop, which is the part where the only entrance is situated !!

keep watching this space for latest news of openings !!!

MONDAY JUNE 23RD 2008

Steady progress today, gone is the hideous orange walls, the ceiling is going to be a reddish colour also disappearing is the pink colour. For those shoppers who need a reminder how it used to look here's a photo I found of how it looked before Monday

If there is something you urgently need please feel free to tap on the door Mish will let you in please please don't take too long as we need to get cracking or else we'll never finish this week. On Thursday and Friday I will be there and I will let you in via the rear entrance.

TUESDAY JUNE 24TH UPDATE its be alwight !!

How it looks this morning .....

The above photo was taken last night after a day's whitening of the 'old girl' as we call our dear old shop. It is now ready for the second layers of paint this is where the colours comes in and will give a better idea of the finished look. Mary Portas eat your heart out old girl, just thought I'd mention. another old girl !!!

Just how long it will take I don't know but Mish is a gel on a mission and is pushing on hard to get the job finished this week or at the latest early next week. Remember the new carpet has also to be laid and new lighting installed.

Latest report June 25th

Although this picture actually arrived last night at 10pm I have only just managed to get round to putting it up.

As you can see things are still topsy turvey in the shop. Mish was working on the skirting boards today.

Latest report Thursday, 26th June 2007

Still looking upside down but we now hope to open next week Tuesday, July 1st when we will be having a OPENING SALE of

20 % off nearly everything !!!

SUNDAY 29TH JUNE UPDATE below

I have just come back form helping Mish finish work at Lacies new Hove Boutique and I must say she has done a fabulous job . All carpets are now down 99% of the painting work has now been completed. Mish has still a multitude of small touch up jobs to do on Monday including the front window and some painting. That is why the shop will be closed tomorrow. We are still on target for our Tuesday opening though we cannot guarantee a Wednesday or Saturday opening yet !!

STOP PRESS ........

Easy we say when you present us with your own personal LACIES GOLD CARD !!! click here for more details

getting there ... and what's this a SALE surely not ??

what a transformation but its not quite finished yet ... still a few touches up needed oh and some products to sell would be a good idea ???

IMPORTANT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

 We will be open Tuesday 1st July form 11am till 5.30 pm for the first new dawn of Laices Boutique and of course that sale of 20% OFF everything except Nearly Me products.

JULY 1ST REPORT great first day

Had several people from the press in the shop see tomorrows Brighton Argus for full story and photo's

We will be open everyday this week only Saturday is a bit unsure at the moment.

JULY 23RD 2008 UPDATE

I thought you might like to see an photo of how lovely the shop looks now. This photo was actually taken form outside the shop looking into the first room of the shop where sexy dresses mingle with sheer lingerie and also hosiery stockings etc, I am sure you will agree with me what a lovely job Michele the shops new manageress  has done..

 HOW TO FIND LACIES OF HOVE

LINK TO MAP

HOVE

From London Take M23 to Brighton. This becomes the A23 until it ends. At the end take the WORTHING TURN OFF which is a sharp left hand turn uphill. This leads to the A27  follow this road for about ONE MILE (note stay in the left hand lane) until the HOVE TURN OFF. At the Devils Dyke Roundabout you want the 3rd exit (more or less straight on) sign posted as WEST HOVE .   Continue STRAIGHT ON for about 1.5 miles till TRAFFIC LIGHTS then STRAIGHT ON for 1/3 mile