AN ambitious entrepreneur has opened up a new shop to take advantage of a space which has been under utilised for more than five years.

Rowan Hunter recently launched The Stour Store in Manningtree High Street, replacing the old NatWest building which has been empty for years.

Rowan’s idea for the store was to be similar to a mini department store.

He said: “The concept was for the store to have sections for all your lifestyle and homeware needs.

“We also have 25 concessions and businesses involved in the project which we will rotate every six to eight weeks.

Gazette: Rowan outside the newly launched storeRowan outside the newly launched store

“This gives an opportunity to small startup makers to sell in the area like Holly Webber who does prints, Dressed to Rule does children’s clothes, White Rabbit Black Cat does cards and prints and Copper Cacti does terrariums.”

The idea of the shop came from pop up retail shops in Estuary Wine Bar during Covid lockdowns, when the bar couldn’t open as a bar.

After doing three pop ups, Rowan found that there was a market for buying and supporting businesses.

The Stour Store will also donate £50 to a charity every month and customers can choose which of the store to donate to.