AN experienced fitness instructor who set up her own sportswear business in Nailsworth has now moved to a larger shop front after 12 weeks of welcome success.

Sam Cairns, a mum-of-two from Dursley, has encountered great success since she began shop-sharing at The Dressing Room with her company Bosom Buddies in March.

However, with the closure of The Dressing Room, she has now set up shop in the former site of Studio Works Gallery in Fountain Street, next to Armed & Gorgeous.

She told the SNJ: “People had been saying to me since day one that I should open my own shop, they said ‘your stuff is fabulous you need your own place’, and fortunately when I found out that The Dressing Room was closing this larger store front was available.

“I’ve had a great response so far, a lot of people coming into the shop.

“I hadn’t set my sights too high to be honest but I’ve surpassed that.

“I have just as much of chance of surviving as business as any of the other shops in the High Street.

“I think what has been attracting people and drawing them back is the quality of what I sell, it’s all British made – I like to say ‘the only sweat that goes into this fabric is your own’,” eluding to the fact that her clothing has not been manufactured in questionable factory working conditions.

Sam will now be introducing plus sized clothing to her range, alongside clothing for girls, latching on to the trend that mothers often like to buy matching clothes for their daughters.

Continuing her 19 years of experiences as a fitness instructor, Sam hosts classes in Stinchcombe village hall, and The Pulse in Dursley on Mondays and Fridays – get in touch for further details.

Sam is now accompanied in the shop by two canine companions, Molly, a four-year-old Bichon and her son Fidget, a 14-week old Shih Tzu-Bichon cross.

She sees the key to her shop’s success is for people to continue shop locally, something she notes that Nailsworth residents are keen to do as much as possible.

Sam told the SNJ: “All of these beautiful shops in Nailsworth, all the small and wonderful boutiques will not be able to survive unless people shop locally.”

“I’ve learnt a lot in the past 12 weeks or so, listening to people about what they want me to sell and I have the chance to trial a few things and see if they work.”

For more information visit www.facebook.com/bosombuddiessportsbras, www.bosombuddiessportsbras.co.uk or call 01453 833733.

Shop opening hours are:

Monday: 11am-5.15pm

Tuesday: 9.30am-5pm

Wednesday: 9.30am-5pm

Thursday: 9.30am-5pm

Friday: 11.30am-5pm

Saturday: 10am-5pm