Despite the rapid growth in Internet shopping which has changed the face of retail, there is still no substitute for a high street presence.

To achieve a genuine shop window onto the world, at least in the local community, then you need, well, a shop window.

That is something sisters Naomi and Abigail Bowen-Pine realised after running their own separate businesses exhibiting at craft fairs and local events for several years.

While reasonably successful on the individual day, they wanted to give their businesses — Gilded Rose Designs and Rose Oak Studio — a permanent home under one umbrella, as well as supporting other small traders.

And, after 18 months of searching, they finally found their ideal premises in Station Road, Wheatley, to exhibit their accessories including jewellery, embroidery, knitwear, photography, cards and gifts.

Now called Shalotte — adapted from their favourite Tennyson poem, The Lady of Shalott — it also reflects their interest in Victoriana, the pre-Raphaelites and mythology which they have developed since childhood.

Naomi, 25, said: “Our main aim is to promote and provide quality handmade items with an original twist. We like to encourage people to think about who made something and what went into its production, and we use recycled, reclaimed and vintage materials and try to source materials as locally as possible.”

Running a shop can be expensive, especially in the crucial fist few months of trading. So right from the start of trading in July, the plan has been to link up with other traders. This helps cover the costs of the utilities and rent and help build the profile of the business.

Now a range of craftsmen from jewellers to photographers exhibit their wares in the store giving them a ‘shop front’ at a fraction of the cost of running a shop themselves.

Having been educated at home, the sisters have a particularly strong bond and are enjoying the challenge of working together once more.

Abigail, 28, said: “It is what we always wanted to do. We get a lot of good feedback from customers, as well as repeat orders.”

o Contact: Shallotte, 07583 120832.

Web: www.shalotte.co.uk