THE Crafters’ Emporium in Faringdon is one of a number of shops in the town reopening on Monday following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Christine Wallace, Great British Bake Off contestant will join owner Natasha Martell at 10am at the shop.

The emporium at Portwell Angel Cellar, selling handmade craft products, opened just two days before the national shut down of all businesses in March.

It is Ms Martell’s second Crafters’ Emporium, with another store in Didcot, which opened in October 2019 with a range of local artisan crafts people providing gifts.

Herald Series:

The shop will also offer a range of eco products, and local foods including traditional sweets from The Sherbet Piglet, and Well Preserved award winning jams, marmalades and chutneys.

READ AGAIN: Girl hit by car on busy road wants speed limit change

The Faringdon shop is to be run by Lindsay-Ann Smith, owner of Balloonsbylinz and Creations by Infinity and part of the Crafters’ Emporium Ltd, who has been involved in the Didcot shop.

Ms Martell said: “Faringdon’s a nice place and people wanted a shop like ours there. Our handmade crafts and gifts will offer something that isn’t there already, and people won’t have to go to Swindon or Oxford to shop. We look forward to welcoming customers.”

Bethia Thomas, one of Faringdon’s district councillors, has a special interest in the development of business in the region, and has been invited to the opening.

READ MORE: Watch out! New cameras to fine drivers in Oxford bus lanes

She said: “It is great to see that Faringdon has a new business opening on the day more shops are allowed to reopen nationally.”

The Crafters’ Emporium Faringdon will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 2.30pm.