A NEW family-run card shop has opened its doors in Andover's high street in the former Topshop store.

Cards Direct, a family-run retailer, has opened in the town centre and offers a whole range of greeting cards, gifts, gift packaging, balloons and partyware for residents to spoil their family and friends.

Mark Watkins, retail operations manager for the store, said: "Our purpose is making people smile. We pride ourselves on offering outstanding customer service, quality products and above all, value for money.

READ MORE: Andover residents concerned about the state of Andover town centre

"Having been growing steadily for over a decade and this year receiving the honour of being the only new entrant into BrandVue's Most Loved Retail Brands listing, we've been targeting expansion across Hampshire and the south of England.

"Adding to our existing stores in Basingstoke and Southampton, we opened stores in Newbury and Swindon earlier this year and, with both trading well, we wanted to add to these with a presence in Andover."

He said the town centre has had "good levels of repeat footfall throughout the year" so the former Topshops prime location seemed the "ideal solution and a great opportunity to give an empty shop a new lease on life".

Cards Direct originally applied in January this year to put up an externally illuminated fascia sign, externally illuminated projecting sign and externally illuminated sign over entrance doors, but the proposals were rejected for not being “sympathetic to the traditional character of the locality”.

The retail chain returned with another application in March, this time asking to display of externally illuminated fascia sign and an externally illuminated projecting sign.

In May, borough council planners approved the new application

He continued: "Helena and her new team have settled in really well and they look forward to helping the people of Andover celebrate life’s special occasions."

SEE ALSO: Save It Discount Store in Andover store closes its doors

The new shop will come as positive news to the residents of Andover who have recently expressed concerns about the number of empty units and the state of the current town centre.

As previously reported, the Advertiser recently contacted Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to ask what the council are doing to improve things and help new businesses move into units with ever-increasing rents.

A spokesperson confirmed that of the 152 shops in Andover town centre, 28 (18.4 per cent) are vacant, which has increased in the last two years. 

Cards Direct was established in 2012 and currently has 45 stores in high streets and shopping centres in the UK. Currently, the nearest Cards Direct stores are in Basingstoke and Southampton.

The new shop can be found at 42-44 High St, Andover.