A NEW wedding shop has opened in Winchester.

Sarah Taylor opened the independent bridalwear shop Daisy Drew and aims to make Winchester women’s dreams come true for years to come.

She said: “On our first day we sold a wedding dress and it just feels so nice to help somebody find their dress because it’s something women dream about from when they are little girls. We want to stick around here and hopefully expand in the future so we can help women have their perfect weddings.

“I’ve not worked in bridalwear before so it’s a new venture for me doing something I want to do rather than just paid to do. I thought if I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it.”

It comes only 18 months after independent shop The Bridal Room on Chesil Street closed after 20 years.

But Ms Taylor said she had no concerns about whether Winchester was the right market for the shop.

She said: “Most bridalwear shops tend to be at the high end of the market but we make sure we offer affordable prices. There is definitely a market here and particularly for fair and reasonably priced dresses.”

She runs the shop with the help of two consultants, Rachel Carby and Rhiannon Riley.

Ms Carby added: “We do not want our ladies to be going into debt for their weddings, we want them to completely enjoy them so we feel we are very reasonable.”

A wedding dress at the shop ranges from £375-£1,400, while evening wear and prom dresses are also sold for between £150-£300.

Ms Taylor added the shop was pleased to throw its support behind the Hampshire Chronicle’s Shop Local campaign to boost independent traders.

She said: “With high streets all looking the same with the big chains one after another it’s important to keep things local and independent retailers like ourselves add variety to a place like Winchester.”