In these times of job losses, stores and small shops shutting, Carnon Downs Garden Centre is reversing the trend by opening five brand new units that are the first ventures by five local traders from Falmouth, Truro and Redruth.

Falmouth and Truro MP Sarah Newton was on hand to officially open the units on March 3.

Sarah was pleased to be involved and said “I was delighted to meet and talk to the traders and I wished them every success. It is really pleasing to see fledgling businesses have a new start in an excellent area with such wonderful units”.

Whilst there Sarah toured the garden centre with the owners Jacque and Mark Hassall and was pleased to say that she was a long term customer of the centre.

The five units are now operating with a florist, Cornish craft work and paintings, plus a clothes designer using re-cycled products , a garden designer and a jewellery shop.

Jacque Hassall said: “It is wonderful to be able to offer an opportunity to small local traders to get their businesses off the ground in the hope that they may be able to expand in years to come.”

Also during the coming weeks Cotton Traders, one of the UK’s largest clothing brands will be opening within the main body of the garden centre.