A FABRIC store that has been a fixture on the high street in Royal Wootton Bassett for the past three decades has reopened under new management.

The mayor and mayoress Nic and Sue Hughes were there to cut the ribbon at Cloth of Gold for new owner Sarah Jackson.

“It was a wonderful day, the customers were kind and said they felt safe which was lovely to hear,” said Sarah.

“Everyone was so happy to hear the store was staying as it’s been in the town for 33 years.

“They were all so welcoming and they made me feel part of the community,” she said.

“It was also nice to get the mayor and mayoress’ approval of the place after doing a bit of a refurbishment.”

The town crier, Owen Collier, did his first cry since lockdown was announced.

Sticking to social distancing rules and not shouting over anyone he gave a good cry to mark the reopening of the store.

And more than 70 customers came through the door on the first day.

Sarah took the business over from Nicola Maslin, who has retired.

She told the Adver: “It’s really important to me to integrate with the community and to keep the history alive for Royal Wootton Bassett, especially as the world is changing massively right now.

“This is something I have always been passionate about, I’ve always wanted my own business. I’m proud to have followed through and done it.”

It is a challenging time to be reopening a business because firms face extra pressure as a result of the Covid pandemic and lockdown.

Some have fallen by the wayside and shut down for good.

Despite this Sarah feels confident that the future is looking bright for Cloth of Gold.

She said: “It is a weird time to open a business but I fell into it because I was made redundant as manager from Warehouse Fashion and I’ve always wanted to run a fabric shop.

“I heard the business was up for sale and I just thought ‘it’s time to do something I really love’.

She said: “We have to be positive and yes it is scary but we have to keep living life.

“But we’re working to make sure we’re prepared for a second wave if it does happen.”