An innovative venture to boost a town’s economy has seen a pop-up shop opened.

Stowmarket Town Centre Partnership has managed to get six businesses involved in the store offering a variety of goods for sale.

The businesses are renting a portion of the premises each which means reducing their costs.

Town centre manager Sharon Brown said the store’s opening had been “very positive”.

She said: “There were lots of people there.

“It’s been going surprisingly well, I’m really pleased.

“There’s tough times still but the businesses have done better than I would have hoped and it is still early days. If it proves successful we will go on and open more.”

The shop is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and offers jewellery, handbags and accessories.

The shop, at 15 Bury Street, had its grand opening last week which was attended by dignitaries including town mayor Vera Waspe.

She said: “It went well and hopefully it will be a success. It’s something new and we have to give it a try.”

The businesses can ask the Town Centre Partnership for advice on how to run their venture.

The project, which has been backed by Mid Suffolk District Council, is being financed by money received by the Government’s ‘Portas Pilot’ scheme.