WELLINGTON town centre has seen in a business boom over the last three months with new stores arriving and old stores relocating.

The town already has a reputation for being a hub of independent shops.

Some of the new stores are Kardiez, Take the Vape and Angie’s Shabby Chic Makes, which opened at the end of last year, while Every Inch Beautiful, Lancer Court, and Sprague Butchers opened in January 2018.

Peter Watts, chairman of the Wellington Business Association, said: “The businesses I have spoken to, have chosen to come to Wellington now largely due to the population growth of the town, as that means more customers, which is essential to sustain any business.

“The retailers say the friendly atmosphere in town and the strong support retailers, and especially independent retailers, get in Wellington.

“It’s refreshing to see that all of the new influx are independent retailers, which adds to the diversity of shopping opportunities and compliments the many independent retailers already in Wellington.”

Angie Littlewood, of Angie’s Shabby Chic Makes, said: “It’s quite a nice little town, I moved here last July.

“There’s so many little places, and it’s such a community.

“The shop wasn’t something I planned, it just sort of happened.

“I love it, I was so busy in the run up to Christmas.

“There are lots of people that have bought things and then come back.”

Mayor of Wellington, Gary James, has been visiting a few of the new stores to welcome them to the town.

He said: "I am delighted, things are evolving.

"The town council will support them in any way we can, we are also setting up a working group to make the town even better than it already is.

"I love my town, and we've got a lot to offer."

The Wellington Business Association is hosting its annual general meeting on February 28. The meeting, which will take place at 6.30pm at the Dolphin pub on Waterloo Road, aims to provide a forum for business owners in the town.

Mr Watts added: “The WBA is hosting an open forum with Wellington town councillors to look at how the town council can work with the business association, local retailers and other local bodies and agencies to fill the remaining empty shops in Wellington.”