A BUSINESS owner and artist have had a successful start in Romsey town centre with new clubs, sales and contacts growing in the community.

Rebecca Jackson, 323, moved from Salisbury to Wellow around three years ago in the hopes of finding the ‘dream’ place to establish her shop. Now she has opened Forest and Cove located on Bell Street.

The shop was officially opened in August, when many artists and interested residents welcomed Rebecca and shared Prosecco and nibbles.

Test Valley mayor and Romsey Town councillor Mark Cooper cut the ribbon officially launching the creative hub.

Rebecca said: “It’s been really busy but really good. The feedback has been positive. I was told it used to be an art gallery two years ago and people have really missed that.

“I moved to Wellow about three years ago, it’s gorgeous, such a bustling little town, it’s like the ‘best kept secret’ and we’ve been so welcomed by the community.

“Local shops were bringing us cups of tea and ice cream when we were getting it ready in the summer.

“I had a jewellery shop in Salisbury before this, I used to make, teach and sell by myself but it’s always been my goal since uni to have a place that served the community. I wanted to build that creative hub. It’s always been my dream.”

The store is complete with a variety of art such as silver clay jewellery, medieval birch bark modelling, and homemade candles to lino printing with some of the artists living locally such as Elizabeth Hammond and Pete Gilbert whilst others are contacts from Rebecca’s days in Salisbury.

As you walk through the store, there is an open space at the back where you can watch Rebecca making various items of jewellery.

Rebecca continued: “I like people to be able to see me making, it creates that interest, people love that. They need to see creatives at work.”

As well as selling and making, artists can teach classes in the space above the store. There is a class to learn how to make re-usable containers from birch bark, you can learn how to print using lino and there are also wreath making classes suitable for all abilities and skill sets.

To find out more, go to Facebook at search forestandcove or Instagram: @forestandcoveromsey.