Stafford’s town centre has been given a boost with the arrival of new independent shops.
New businesses excited to open in the county town offer goods including chocolates and treats, jewellery and fabrics. There is also a space for crafting activities and a bookshop due to open soon.
New chocolate shop Little Bean has been launched by Vic Williams, who has a 25-year history of working in chocolate including running Stafford’s Thorntons store and then its shops on London’s Oxford Street and Regent Street before creating new products for the likes of Cadbury, Nestle and Mars.
Her new venture in Eastgate Street’s The Colonnade, opened last weekend featuring luxurious chocolates and decadent treats as well as gifts and scoop ice creams.
Vic said: “I have been keen to run my own shop again and always wanted it to be in Stafford. I live in Stafford and know I can introduce things Stafford hasn’t seen before.
“I have always had faith in the town, even though it is still going through a rough period and needs some life putting back into it. That’s what us independent businesses are hoping to do.”
Louise Whinton opened Eastgate Fabrics, on Eastgate Street, earlier this week, giving up a full-time job at a car hire company.
She told Daily Focus: “Working from home was quite isolating. I had been running an online fabrics business online since the start of the year as well, but there wasn’t enough space in the unit I was using.
“I knew Stafford was short on fabric shops because I come to the town regularly so I decided to give it a go myself. It will be a challenge that I hope pays off.”
Blossoms Crafts and Events, a studio offering activities such as pottery painting and wreath making, opened on Mill Street on Monday.
And That Little Bookshop is due to open on Tipping Street 30 August.
