A new shop with a twist is set to open in a Wiltshire town centre.
Artemis Fernihough-Silva and her partner Matthew are preparing to open Fabric Forest on New Road in Chippenham, with a planned opening date now set for March 14.
The pair have taken over the former funeral director unit opposite the Black Horse pub and work is underway to transform the building into a shop stocking fabrics and textile craft products, such as haberdashery, wool and yarn, crochet kits, and more.
The new venture is a dream come true for Artemis, who has been crafting since she was just seven years old.
She said: “It’s just always been such a passion for me, and I thought I could bring that to the community and bring people together.
“I’m so excited, every minute of every day is dedicated to getting everything ready and I can’t wait to welcome everyone in.
“We want to be involved in the community, inspire creativity in Chippenham, and get people crafting again.”
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The new business will not be “just a shop” and will also host a ‘sewing corner’ and multiple workshops and community initiatives to get people involved in crafting.
The sewing corner will give people an opportunity to use the sewing machines at the shop and get specialist advice on their projects.
Workshops will invite people to bring their projects along and craft together as a community.
Artemis told this paper that crafting can offer people a “wholesome” way to get out in public and meet new people.
She added: “It’s not just a shop because everyone is welcome to come in a craft and chat about anything during shop hours, as well as workshops and community initiatives.
“Crafting alone is so relaxing, but doing it with others is a really therapeutic and positive way to socialise.
“It’s a wholesome way to get people together and it’s intergenerational as well.”
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Fabric Forest is not the only business opening soon on New Road, with multiple vacant units currently set to reopen with new occupants.
The former Gloden Ltd tanning studio, near Fabric Forest, is due to be reopened by a sunbed operator after sitting empty for around a year.
Kilpatrick & Co, the estate agent that marketed this property, said work was ongoing to fit it out ahead of opening.
