THREE new shops have opened their doors in Nailsea giving the town centre a huge boost.

North Somerset Times: Sammy Grantham and his dog Benny and Fran, Dave, Poppy and Fern Hunt with Holly Pintio and Jane Simmons.Sammy Grantham and his dog Benny and Fran, Dave, Poppy and Fern Hunt with Holly Pintio and Jane Simmons. (Image: Archant)

Pete Waring opened the Occasions shop in the former Clinton Cards store in Colliers Walk and Felicity Ralfs opened her independent Butterfly Travel agency in Crown Glass Place.

North Somerset Times: Felicity Ralfs outside her new premises.Felicity Ralfs outside her new premises. (Image: Archant)

Fran Hunt, one of the winners of the centre’s Win a Shop competition, completed the trio of new arrivals with Partysmartys at 15 Colliers Walk.

North Somerset Times: New Occasions shop in Nailsea's Colliers Walk.New Occasions shop in Nailsea's Colliers Walk. (Image: Archant)

Fran, from Partysmartys, held her opening party in aid of eight-year-old Sammy Grantham who has cerebral palsy and is raising money to train an assistance dog.

Partysmartys put on some face painting and gave out cake to customers for a donation to the cause, which was presented to Sammy’s mum at the end of the day.

Occupancy levels in the shopping centre are at their highest for many years and the town is performing well above the average national high street.

Felicity, from Butterfly Travel, is delighted to have set up her own agency after 18 years in the travel industry.

She said: “I’ve always had the dream to open my own agency, and I’m so glad to say that dream has now become a reality.

“As an independent agent, backed by one off the largest travel groups in the industry, I now have access to the best deals and destinations to suit all my customers’ needs and desires while still offering value for money and a personal, friendly service.”

The firm offers overnight and weekend breaks, package holidays, tailor-made itineraries, cruises or flight-only deals.

Peter Waring sold his five greeting cards shops to Clinton Cards a number of years ago but has now returned to the industry.

He said: “I have always enjoyed the industry and feel there is real scope for the business to do well in Nailsea. I have had a lot of positive feedback from local people.”

Emily Rickard, the second winner of the Win a Shop competition, will be adding to the new businesses in Colliers Walk later this month.

Emily is opening her store, Ewe-Knit 20, which will cater for machine and hand knitting enthusiasts and also run courses in machine knitting.