A business with “a bit of difference” plans to open a store in an empty town centre unit.
Southern Counties Honey Ltd, which trades as White Horse Honey, is due to open its first shop in Chippenham Market Place, at the former Hughes & Hughes estate agents building.
The firm is based in Wiltshire and produces honey from apiaries spread across six counties and will open the store under a new name, which is yet to be decided.
Owner Stephen Auty said he was excited to bring a store with a twist to Chippenham town centre.
He said: “It’s our first bricks and mortar store so it’s a brand new departure for the business, we’ve previously sold direct to farm shops or at food festivals and markets.
“We’re both excited and nervous but there is definitely a demand there, Chippenham is a growing town and High Streets need a bit of difference.
“It’s a nice town centre already and it needs those extra nice businesses to come in and take advantage of that.”
As well as using the store to sell its honey directly to customers, the business will also offer beeswax candles made on the premises, and hive cosmetics.
A sign in the shopfront promises shoppers a live demonstration area to add a twist to their visit.
It reads: “Opening soon, Wiltshire’s first destination for honey and beeswax candles, hive cosmetics and more.
“With a live behind the scenes demo area too, watch this space.”
An opening date for the store is yet to be confirmed but it is expected to be in mid to late September.
Mr Auty added this may be subject to change and could be moved forward.
The business owner has been keeping bees for 30 years and worked in retail for much of his career.
Now he hopes to create a thriving town centre store of his own.
He added: “It will be a place where people can discover what honey is all about, it’s not your standard supermarket bulk honey.
“It’s proper honey and we’ll be working with other bee farming groups around the world to source honey from different countries.
“It’s a bit like wine, although our local honey is great there are other wonderful products out there.”
Mr Auty says he is working with Wiltshire Council to help fund the transformation of the unit, through its Vibrant Wiltshire grant scheme.
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