A CHARITY Christmas card shop, which was forced to shut down after Bradford on Avon’s Tourist Information Centre closed, has reopened thanks to a neighbouring businessman.

The Cards for Good Causes pop-up shop on St Margaret's Street was formerly controlled by the TIC but now, Pavilion Cafe owner, Andrew Allen along with former TIC volunteers have managed to save the shop which sells Christmas cards for charity every year.

Mr Allen said that it was vital for visitors and residents to have a place which can represent tourism - something which is crucial to the town.

He said: “I wanted to help because it is something that people expect to be here and all the volunteers were behind us.

"The response has been really positive and everyone is behind us and it is nice that people want to help.”

Volunteers at the pop-up shop were told on Friday, October 24, about the immediate closure and it was in the space of a week that it was up and running again.

The pop-up card shop has been in the town since 1998 and was officially relaunched on Friday, October 31.

June Harrison, who was a volunteer at the tourist centre, said she was shocked at the closure of both TIC and the card shop.

She said: “I think the majority of us were disappointed and volunteers didn’t know until the last minute. I was told by email and I think everyone was. We are rather saddened because you make a lot of friends here.”

The temporary shed will be used as Santa’s Grotto during the town’s festive plans in December and will taken down after Christmas.

It is not yet known what will happen to the shop next year. Anyone is interested in volunteering should call Louise Johnson on 01985 214389.