Local Face: Vicky Langdon

Vicky Langdon has only recently become a local face in Wendover but she has been connected with Buckinghamshire all her life. She is the youngest of four daughters and was brought up and educated in the Amersham area. After Dr Challoner’s Girls she couldn’t wait for the high life and headed for London where she mapped out an exciting career with some of the best known high street products including Estee Lauder and CBS records. This meant that although she didn’t have direct over the counter experience, she understood the world of retail.

Vicky then broke with the retail world had great fun working on the charity and fund raising side of Comic Relief—no television appearances. Her greatest successes came with The Body Shop where she was PR manager which involved the usual travel and meetings lifestyle.

While her career was developing, she remet Ben, a former pupil of Dr Challoner’s Boys and they married in 1989. They were still living in Finchley when their first child, Max, was born in 1992. Vicky then took the year’s maternity leave to which she was entitled. By that time she couldn’t bear to leave her child and was expecting again. Ruby was born in 1994 and the rationale for living in the suburbs of London had disappeared. They didn’t live within a few minutes of work, nor did they live in the rural setting both parents had known as children.

Back to Buckinghamshire in 1997 and it really felt like coming home although this time it was Little Kimble. Gradually the family acquired pets—a cat, a rabbit, a pony and three dogs (two boxers and a Tibetan terrier). Vicky also discovered the delights of shopping in Wendover and became a regular. One of her favourite shops was Number One and she became very friendly with the owners, Karen and Kim. She suggested that they might like to open another branch which she could manage for them. Vicky was surprised to discover that she might like retail in the face to face with the customer situation! Her children were growing up and had settled in local secondary schools and Vicky wanted a new challenge. In March Vicky bought Number One as a going concern from the previous owners and as she has always loved the shop she has no immediate plans to make any radical changes.

All the firm favourites such as Emma Bridgewater, LSA and True Grace Candles are still being stocked but Vicky has already introduced some extremely popular French toiletries and new garden products. Becky Shirley continues to work at the shop offering a familiar face to customers. Karen and Kim are still in touch and Vicky is grateful for their continued support.

Vicky is delighted to be a shop keeper in Wendover at a time when the High Street is able to offer such a variety of both perishable and durable goods. She plans to maintain the Number One philosophy of lovely things to buy in a friendly atmosphere and all beautifully gift wrapped. Why not pop in and see her?