A HOME fragrance business in Andover’s Chantry Centre has received a cash boost after successfully applying for an Independent Retailer Grant from Test Valley Borough Council.

House of Elizabeth is the seventh independent trader to lease space in the Andover BID’s Shared Shop, in unit 15 at The Chantry Centre. After applying for the grant last year, business owner Elizabeth Reeder has recently been awarded £250.

The shop offers a luxurious collection of handcrafted soy candles, room sprays, diffusers and wax melts. They come from a sustainable and renewable source, considering the environment.

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Elizabeth said: “I am thrilled to have a spot in the Shared Shop and for Test Valley Borough Council to have offered me support with this grant.”

St Mary’s ward councillor, Iris Andersen added: “It is great to see independent retailers like Elizabeth take up shop in Andover and I am so pleased that we as a council are able to offer financial support. Elizabeth’s business offers a really lovely unique products to those visiting Andover’s town centre. I wish her all the best with her business.”

The Shared Shop is a joint initiative between the council, as landlord of The Chantry Centre, and Andover BID. It is designed to give independent traders a chance to experience trading on the High Street at a subsidised cost in the hope that they will flourish and take their own space in due course.

As part of the council's strategy to support Andover and Romsey town centres, the Independent Retailer Grant is available to encourage new independently-owned retailers to take up vacant space.

These funds have become available to the community as a consequence of the council’s prudent investments, careful financial management and the use of the New Homes Bonus.

For more information about the council’s grant schemes, visit www.testvalley.gov.uk.

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