MALMESBURY’S newest trader has thanked the community for their support.

Hanna Bull, from Neston, launched her new store, Bitsy, in the town just one month ago.

The business, located on Griffen Alley, sells a range of preloved items, including furniture, bric-a-brac, artworks and clothes.

And, after a month of trading in the town, Hanna says she has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the kindness of the townsfolk.

“Honestly, I am absolutely blown away,” she said.

“Everyone has been so genuinely nice since I opened Bitsy.

“Not only do people smile at you, but they take time to stop and talk to you.”

The mother-of-two had first tried her hand at selling recycled and upcycled items through a joint venture with a friend, in Devizes.

Having achieved some success with the project, she decided to branch out and take on a store of her own.

She paid a visit to Malmesbury to look for a premises but, finding nothing suitable, she headed towards the car park, ready to go home. And it was there, on Griffen Alley, that she spotted a ‘cute little shop’ that was available to rent. She rang the landlord and was soon given the green light to take it on.

There Hanna has been able to indulge her passion for finding interesting second hand items and giving them a new home.

She says she doesn’t like to see people throw stuff away and finds her stock ‘anywhere and everywhere’.

But she is keen to point out that she wouldn’t describe her recycled and upcycled goods as ‘vintage’.

“I like items from any era,” she said.

“I just want everyone to find something that they like.”

As well as wanting to reduce waste and encourage reuse, Hanna said she is especially concerned about the financial problems some people are currently facing -

“I want to offer affordable options, especially now, when people are more worried about money,” she said.

Hanna said that lots of her customers have been helping to promote her new venture.

“They’ve been really enthusiastic about the shop, taking photos and sharing them on social media, to help get the word out about it,” she said.

“I’ve found it quite overwhelming.

“I couldn’t ask for any more.

“I’m really glad to be part of the town."