A bridal shop is gearing up for a huge expansion following a successful few years in a town centre.

Silk & Maple opened at 10-12 Friars Street in Sudbury in the summer of 2021 and now owners Tegan Patmore and Roberta Lambert have announced their plans to open a sister shop just next door. 

The new venture, Sora, will sell bridesmaids dresses in a bid to create a one-stop-shop for brides and their closest friends to find their outfits for the big day. 

"We're very lucky with the new shop - we're going to have two floors and on the ground floor there will be a bridesmaid area with a cocktail bar. We want it to be a fun, chilled experience for the bridesmaids," said Ms Lambert.

"Upstairs we're going to have our ready-to-wear dresses so all of the dresses for more budget-conscious brides.

"We have had feedback from our brides that they have really struggled to find bridesmaid dresses and hopefully we can offer something that means they won't have to struggle anymore."

Sudbury Mercury: The shop, Sora, will sell bridesmaids dresses The shop, Sora, will sell bridesmaids dresses  (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown, Newsquest)

The pair said they have been "very lucky" and "grateful" for the response they have had since moving to Sudbury.

"When the shop became available it felt like a no-brainer," the pair added. 

"We feel like it is going to be a whole experience, like Silk & Maple is, where they just feel great. A real fun experience with a prosecco or two in hand.

"We want brides to feel so at ease and welcome right off the bat as soon as they walk into the shop, and Sora will be the same for bridesmaids - inclusive and welcoming." 

The pair said they plan to open Sora in April this year.

Last year, Silk & Maple was crowned the best bridal retailer that has been established for less than four years in the East of England.