When skilled seamstress Liudmyla Redka returned to her store in Ukraine two years ago she was devastated to discover it had been destroyed.
Liudmyla’s beloved store, which she had run for 13 years, had been flattened by Russian soldiers after they launched an invasion of her home country in February 2022. Fearing for her life, the 39-year-old fled Ukraine with her 15-year-old daughter, and moved to Southport.
Desperate to make use of her skills, Liudmyla sought help from Sefton@Work, a team which offers free advice and guidance on all aspects of jobs, education and training, and last month she opened up a new store in Tulketh Street, Stand Up For Southport reports.
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Recalling the Russian invasion, Liudmyla said: “It was horrible. All my stuff had gone and the Russian soldiers had occupied my town.
“That’s when I decided to leave with my daughter, it’s still a very dangerous place.”
Liudmyla decided to set up a new shop called Curtains and More, in Southport town centre. Sefton@Work helped her to set up the business, register as self-employed and provided job coaching sessions.
Liudmyla said: “When I first came to Southport, I was in different jobs like cleaning but I knew I wanted to work with fabrics and curtains again, it’s my favourite thing.”
Liudmyla opened the shop on April 1 and has already made a few curtains, working on her own, six days a week.
She said: “The people are amazing and so kind. Customers who have already picked up their orders still come in to say hello. I hope it will get better and better.”
Liudmyla can do alterations – not just to curtains but dresses too – repairs and make ‘made to order’ materials. In the future she plans to get more suppliers, so customers can have more choice of fabrics.
She said: “I have taken courses about types of English curtains and special linings. I have noticed people in Ukraine prefer different styles, such as full-length curtains.
“I don’t want to stop, I want to keep improving.”
Liudmyla enjoys living in Southport because of the friendly people and how quiet it is. She told us she is still learning to improve her English and her daughter is enjoying school.
Curtains and More is based at 66 Tulketh Street, Southport, PR8 1BX and is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.