A NEW boutique has opened its doors in Romsey.

Norma Jeane, a clothes shop for women has opened in Bell Street.

The shop is located in the unit once occupied by Vanity Lounge hairdressers.

Nicky Sargent owns the lease on the property for the next four years and previously ran Vanity Lounge.

She said that the boutique will sell clothing for women of all ages including handbags, accessories and some soft furnishings.

Nicky said: “I have had such a great response and people were telling me that they think the shop will do well.

“We have had sales everyday so far which is brilliant.

“Also so many people have been talking about it on Facebook which is great.”

The news of the new boutique comes after after figures collected by Test Valley Borough Council show that the market town’s vacancy rates have plummeted over the past five years.

In October 2013 the vacancy rate for empty retail units in the town was 8.2%, this is in comparison to 3.8% in October 2018.

The vacancy rate for town centres across the South East is 8% and 10.1% across the UK.

Mark Edgerley, Romsey town centre manager welcomed the new addition to the town.

He said: “We are really pleased to see this unit reopening as a fashion outlet.

“The concentration of Romsey’s fashion outlets in Bell Street offers shoppers choice in an easily accessible street and adjacent to one of Romsey’s car parks.

“Opening a new retail business takes considerable investment so please support the owner by popping in soon.”