CHRISTMAS has come early to the city centre with a family-run festive shop returning for the first time since the pandemic after moving to a new premises.
Country Christmas has opened again in Worcester's High Street for the first time since 2020 now in a larger unit having previously been located at unit number 29, the former Moshulu.
The shop is co-owned by husband and wife Derek and Mary Askew, known as Meryl, and their son Simon.
Mr Askew said he was looking forward to the season and is pleased to be back on the High Street.
Despite the cost-of-living crisis, Mr Askew said business hadn't been slow and people were spending money in the store.
He added that despite nationwide concerns over a drop in footfall on the high street, the competition for renting commercial property was still strong and he was pleased to have secured a spot on the high street.
The family used to sell their products at Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre but they have now moved into the high street unit and will be open until Christmas Day.
They have sold their Christmas products at markets in London and Scotland in the past as they previously focused their business on attending various trade shows across the country.
Their range of products includes a large array of tree decorations, handmade wreaths created by Mrs Askew, and a number of other festive decorations.
The unit has previously been occupied by Two Seasons and was most recently home to Mode clothing store.
The shop is opening later in the year than it previously did, having opened in August in 2020, and Mr Askew said he is hoping for a busy start to sales as a result.
A survey published in September for American Express suggested three in ten people have started their Christmas shopping already.
The research found those who had started their seasonal spending had already spent £94 on average on gifts and 79 per cent felt it is important to support local businesses when shopping.
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