A POPULAR crafts and gift shop has experienced an increase in footfall after moving into the old Clarks shoe shop in Crompton Place.

Belle's Pop Up Shop has been in the shopping centre for more than two-and-half-years ­— and its move into the unit, has proved to be the right one.

Michelle Oxford opened Belle’s Pop Up Shop in April 2019 and proved a draw for customers, before pandemic forced her to shut up shop for three months.

And she said it had made a difference moving to the unit, at the front of the shopping centre, which is attracting new and old customers.

Michelle said: “It’s made a big difference being at the front of the shopping centre.

"There is more footfall coming in, especially as it’s coming up to Christmas, people are coming early to do their shopping.

“I get lovely feedback from customers.

During Covid-19 it was tough but since we have re-opened people are coming back out and people are coming through my door.

“Customers are more like friends than customers.”

The pop-up shop will be based at Crompton Place where Clarks used to be until December, before moving to another area of the shopping centre.

Belle’s has a range of products up for offer including mugs, tote bags, bath bombs, personalised gifts, soap drenched sponges and much more, they have also brought in a new Christmas range of Christmas stocking fillers and presents.

Speaking of her shop and products, Michelle said: “My shop is definitely unique, you can’t get this anywhere else, there are not many places in Bolton where you can get gifts like ours.

“My shop is not just a high street brand, it’s a local shop and customers love it.”

One happy customer who was browsing the shop said she comes back yearly to buy Christmas gifts for her sister and many others left the shop smiling with bags full of goodies.

The pop up shop is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am until 4pm.