A NEW leather shop in the Covered Market is looking forward to bagging customers buying Christmas gifts.

Fedele Oxford opened this week in half of what used to be the Helen & Douglas House charity shop unit.

It is next door to the Oxford Soap Company which opened in the same unit last month.

The city council is landlord of the market and its policy of splitting large empty units to attract new tenants is paying off.

The new store has been busy with customers since it opened on Thursday.

Owner Hamim Rahman, 25, who lives in East Oxford, said: “Some of our bags are made by well-known designers - some of our products carry our label and some don’t.

“We hope we are here in good time to catch the Christmas shopping trade.

“We also sell wallets, purses, belts and laptop bags and prices range from £20 to £200.

“We hope to be able to offer something to suit most people’s budgets.

“We are delighted to be here in the market and other traders have given us a great welcome.”

Following a series of high-profile closures, including Haymans fishmongers, Macsamillion shoe shop and Hedges butchers, council leaders have tried to attract new businesses and 58 out of 61 units are being filled in the run-up to Christmas.

The Garden opened a pop-up store on October 29 in the former Hedges Butchers’ unit, selling Christmas trees, wreathes, garlands, and decorations.

And Wicked Chocolate has opened a pop-up store in part of the former Macsamillion unit, selling artisan chocolate and Christmas gifts.

Earlier this week traders announced they would trial late-night opening this month. If that proves successful the extended hours could become permanent.

In another attempt to boost footfall, the Indie Oxford Market Place, run by Independent Oxford, has opened in the former Dragon’s Den clothing store.

The unit will this month be filled with a collection of independent and local businesses that will be selling a wide range of Christmas gifts.

Independent Oxford was created by Rosie Jacobs and Anna Monday in 2015 to celebrate and promote independent businesses in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.

The long-term aim is to provide a permanent unit for independent businesses.

Ms Munday said: “Opening up the Indie Oxford Market Place is a very exciting development for us.

“For the last four years we’ve been championing independent businesses in Oxford and know that this pilot shop will be a great way to take this to another level.”

The council is investing £3.1m in the market, which is Grade II-listed.

Mary Clarkson, executive board member for culture and the city centre, welcomed Fedele Oxford and added that the start-up space was another “great step forward”.