CALLS for a wider variety of shops in St Neots may have been answered with two independent retailers set to open in the town. The Brampton Pie Company is finalising plans to open an outlet in Cross Keys Mews – which could be up and running within the next

CALLS for a wider variety of shops in St Neots may have been answered with two independent retailers set to open in the town.

The Brampton Pie Company is finalising plans to open an outlet in Cross Keys Mews - which could be up and running within the next four to six weeks, creating at least three new jobs.

And former Longsands College pupil Chrissy Brown is to open a pottery painting studio in Moores Walk.

The boost for St Neots comes just a month after mother-of-two Emma Speed, 26, started a Facebook campaign calling for a greater variety of shops.

She received support from more than 500 fellow residents who believe that the town needed more choice to ensure shoppers would choose to shop in St Neots over rival towns.

Chris Baughen, partner in the Brampton Pie Company said she had been considering opening a shop in St Neots for the four years, but high rents had prevented the move.

"It's always been our intention to open a shop in St Neots and now that the recession has led to lower rents it has made it possible. We are just finalising the legal details.

"We conducted a poll in our Huntingdon shop and found that almost third of customers had travelled from St Neots. So we know we have customers in the town and want to offer our service to them closer to home."

She added: "There is very little variety of shops for people in St Neots and hopefully that will change as more businesses realise the opportunities available in the town."

Crafty Monkey, which is due to come to the town soon, will provide a place where customers can create their own unique piece of pottery.

Miss Brown said: "You don't need an artistic bone in your body to create your own unique masterpiece. It's also great fun for adults to let loose their inner child or artistic flair and take home a unique piece of pottery to use and treasure."

The news of the arrival of two new shops is seen as a big boost for the town, and a chance to fill some empty shops and attract other businesses to St Neots.

Town mayor Councillor Gordon Thorpe, who admits to being a fan of the Brampton Pie Company's rabbit pie, said: "Hopefully this marks the turning of a corner for the town with more new businesses choosing to make use of the vacant stores in the town centre."

John Davies, chairman of the St Neots Town Centre Initiative, added: "It's really good news that more variety of retailers are choosing to come to St Neots.