Popular Indian shop to close (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Popular Indian shop to close

CARGO is shutting up shop after 19 years trading in Cirencester. One of the most familiar shop fronts in the town, Cargo has been importing and selling goods from India in Market Place for nearly two decades.

And, according to owner Will Chester-Master, the outlet has gone from strength to strength, and is far from closing because of falling sales.

He said: "We have been very lucky to have a town centre site and trade has been very steady over the whole period.

"We aren't closing because of trade - it's to do with reorganising the business and making more time for other projects we are involved in."

Will and his wife Hilary will now be channelling more of their energies into the organic farm shop they own just outside Cirencester.

But they will continue to import Indian goods for two special shows at Christmas and Easter to coincide with their regular furniture sales.

Will said: "The farm shop is very busy and we are restructuring to allow ourselves more time for new local food initiatives.

"We will still be travelling regularly to India and will hold two exciting new selling exhibitions of Indian textiles, silver and handicrafts.

"This September the blockprinting craftsmen will also be visiting us from India to demonstrate the dying art of commercial blockprinting.

"They will set up a workshop at the farm shop for school and college students and adults to experience hands-on workshops."

There will also soon be a Cargo page on the farm shop website, which will give customers the exhibition dates and other information.

Will added: "When we opened we were 'that funny Indian shop' but now we have become pillars of the establishment, so times have changed a lot. "We have made lots of friends who we hope will continue to support us - it's been very pleasurable, but this is a positive move for us."

Cargo will open for the last time on Saturday, June 4.

For more information about The Organic Farm Shop, Abbey Home Farm, Burford Road, Cirencester call 01285 640441 or visit www.theorganicfarmshop.co.uk