A WANTAGE shop where traders can try out new businesses for a short period has a new home.

The town’s “Flashop” pop-up shop has moved to the former Nonoy’s Oriental Store in Arbery Arcade for a three-month trial.

It opened in Mill Street last July and two of the 24 firms that used it – Soaps ’n’ Soaks and Occasions Gift Shop – took out a lease on the unit in January.

The shop is a project by the Vale of White Horse District Council’s town team.

Tim Parr, director of arcade agent Parker Parr, said: “The Flashop concept is a tremendous initiative and offers creative young retail businesses the chance to street-test their product ranges as a stepping stone to taking more traditional leasing opportunities.”

Wantage mayor and chairman of the Joint Economic Forum, Fiona Roper, said: “The Flashop initiative has been a real success story and it’s great to see it extended into new premises.

“Wantage is bucking the trend compared with other market towns, with new independent shops opening. I’m pleased that the council’s support of these initiatives is paying off.”

Commercial agent Neil Wild, who is leading negotiations on the Arbery Arcade Flashop, said: “Since two of our businesses took on the unit on Mill Street, we have been keen to re-launch in one of the remaining empty shops in town. This is an attractive unit on a key route for footfall in and out of the town centre for people who use the Civic Hall car park, and we’re looking forward to seeing the first pop up businesses.”