After 55 years, it’s hats off to Peta as the doors close for the final time

A milliner – one of the last in the trade – is saying goodbye after 55 years.
Peta Bogat who has worked at mum's shop Daphne's for 55 yearsPeta Bogat who has worked at mum's shop Daphne's for 55 years
Peta Bogat who has worked at mum's shop Daphne's for 55 years

Peta Bogat, 75, has been designing and selling hats at Daphne’s on Alexandria Drive, St Annes for decades.

On Saturday, she closed the millinery shop for the final time.

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The shop is named after her mum, who arrived in St Annes to escape the Blitz, as an evacuee from Romford during the Second World War.

Peta and her mum took over from a greengrocers with £50 in their pocket to start the business.

And for the past 55 years, Peta has been making hats for brides-to-be, local dignitaries and even the most exclusive people thousands of miles away.

She said: “We used to have orders from Dubai and Hong Kong for governors attending horse racing days there.”

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The 75-year-old first started making hats at the age of 13 after being taught by her mother.

It is now recognised as a dying trade, with most hats mass-produced in factories.

Peta said: “I will miss the day-to-day work and meeting all the new people that come into the shop.

“Each person has their own story and is usually buying something for a special occasion so its always nice to know what the event is.

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“I’ve always tried to provide a personal touch when serving which you don’t get much these days and I think people appreciated that.”

The shop is one of the last in the country dedicated to designing hats – something Peta finds a shame.

She added: “There is a craft and skill to the making of the hat that unfortunately many do not know any more.

People just don’t wear hats as much these days but I’m sure it will come around again at some point.”

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Peta first started working in the shop while working for the RAC outside the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool.

While her mother taught at a local college in term-time, Peta would serve at the shop.

John Mercer, owner of arts and craft shop, Drift, also on Alexandria Drive, said: “It’s a real shame to see Peta go, she is a great woman and it’s remarkable she has been there for all that time.”

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