SOMETIMES you have to take a small walk off the beaten track to find a hidden gem.

In Louise Ellison’s case, that walk is just 30 seconds off the High Street and in to Waterloo Court.

The 33-year-old businesswoman from Andover opened her new shop last month to a host of women including friends, family and the Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Jan Lovell.

The female clothing shop, named LuLu’s Boutique, is aimed at providing trendy clothing for women of all ages and Louise is hoping that her friendly attitude and personal service will help spread the word across Andover.

She said: “We are a bit off the High Street so we are hoping that it’s our reputation that will bring people through the door.

“The key thing for us is to provide a different type of service to anywhere else in town and to try to do something positive that will keep people coming back.

“We get customers of all ages from 18 to 80 but it’s the thirty-something mums that we are particularly going for.”

On top of that friendly personal service, LuLu’s stocks a wide range of clothing from glamorous prom dresses to stylish everyday wear and outfits for the office.

Councillor Lovell was impressed with the store and was encouraged about the emergence of local businesses in the town.

She said: “Independent businesses are the lifeblood of the town and they hold places like Andover together.

“I’m really encouraged to see local business growing in the town and more than that I’m happy to see women and mothers like Louise being the driving force behind that.

“I think Louise has got a great shop here and I wish her all the best going forward.”