MALMESBURY town centre is on the up, with new retailers opening on the high street and long-standing shops renovating and developing.

Controversial planning decisions such as the new Waitrose being built just outside of the town centre seem to have had a positive effect, with independent retailers showing confidence in the local retail market.

One of the most recent shops to have moved into the high street is women’s fashion shop, Sassy & Boo.

The shop has only been open in Malmesbury for two weeks and owner Alison Townsend snapped up the free space as soon as it became available.

“I’d always had an eye on Malmesbury as it’s such an attractive town,” she said.

“I looked at it two years ago but it wasn’t looking too good for business then, with a number of closed shops.

“I came back to have a look at it six months ago and it was so much more vibrant.

“It only takes one new shop selling luxury items to draw in others.

“Since we’ve been here the people of Malmesbury have been so lovely and welcoming.”

J & M Flooring is another one of the recent additions to the town centre, having moved in to their high street location in May.

Owner, Michael Pike, has also seen improvements in the area.

“Malmesbury has always been a good place to do business as it has such loyal shoppers,” he said.

“There have been notable improvements in the area; there are a lot fewer empty shops now.

“I think the new Waitrose has helped. It’s brought people to the area that wouldn’t have come here otherwise and they end up having a look around.”

Wiltshire county councillor, Simon Killane, puts the improvements down to planning decisions that have been made in the town.

“The difficult and often controversial planning decisions we have influenced are having a dramatically positive influence on the health of our High Street,” he said.

“New retail ventures are confidently springing up and adding to the diverse range of independent businesses that make our town so vibrant.

“Our high street is also rapidly changing with the arrival of new retailers and businesses and witnessing increased footfall from the new Waitrose supermarket.

“The evidence is clear; Malmesbury is becoming a very successful town with a variety of independent traders. We’re getting a diverse range of interesting retail outlets.

“One of the biggest problems we face now will be increased rent prices.”

Gordon MacPherson, spokesperson for Malmesbury Town Team, thinks there have been a number of factors contributing to the centre’s recent success.

“It’s been a case of success breeding success,” he said. “There are a lot of nice new smart shops that have opened and had a knock-on effect.

“Some of the retailers have also improved their shop fronts.”

Another possible factor in the town centre flourishing is the recent improvements in the area’s tourism.

Claire Mann is a Tourist Officer at Malmesbury Tourist Information Centre and has seen the increase in tourism to the area first-hand.

“Last month particularly there was an improvement in numbers from last year,” she said.

“There’s no particular reason for that which suggests there are just more people out and about in the area.

“We have a number of different events such as WOMAD which always bring in numbers.”