Business leaders have welcomed three new independent retailers have opened in Witney they believe will add to the town’s appeal to shoppers.

Cards and gifts store Fresh, women’s clothing store Estilo and Jellibon, a traditional sweet shop, have all opened within a week of each other.

Janette Reed, chairman of Witney Independent Traders Association, said it was fantastic news for the town.

She said: “We are keen to keep the whole town vibrant, and it’s very positive that we can also see other stores about to open in the town.

“Since the opening of Witney’s new Marriott’s Walk shopping centre, and over the past year, there has been a big increase in people coming in from outside.

“It can only get better.”

Paul Hobbs, from Witney, whose store Fresh opened in Marriotts Walk a week ago, said he opened the shop because he saw Witney as a “growing, thriving” town.

He said: “Witney is, and will continue to be, a principle shopping destination in West Oxfordshire.”

Mr Hobbs, who runs the store with his partner Graham Brogden, who is also head of community fundraising at Oxford Children’s Hospital, said he thought the success of independent stores in Witney was down to the support of the community.

He said: “I think there’s a very strong sense of community in Witney, and the community enjoys supporting independent retailers.

“They like a mix of bigger stores and independents to give the town a strong identity, and the free parking makes it really accessible for people.”

The store was opened by the former ITV Central News host Wesley Smith, who said it was terrific that Fresh was opening in such an exciting town.

The following day Estilo, which means style in Spanish, opened in the High Street.

Co-owner Marion Crocker, from Abingdon, said she opened the store in Witney because of the town’s new developments.

She said: “For three shops to have opened in one week is, I think, indicative of a healthy, developing town.”

The other store, Jellibon Sweet Shop, opened its doors the previous Monday.

Manager Ahmet “Teo” Kacmaz said he had heard there was no sweet shop in Witney and decided to open one himself.

He said: “Everybody comes to Witney to do their shopping now instead of going to Oxford.

“I see, in the future, Witney will grow bigger. It is going to be very busy.”

Also due to open soon are tea and coffee merchants Whittard of Chelsea and outdoor equipment store Mountain Warehouse.