A NEW homeware and gift shop that sells environmentally friendly products from local artists and producers will be opening in Festival Place later this year. 

It will be one of two new Fig and Fox outlets for owners James and Helen Mitchell, as they also have plans to open a pop-up shop at Winchester Christmas Market. 

Fig and Fox first opened in The Hundred, Romsey in October and has quickly proved popular with residents of the town. 

James and Helen say they are so pleased with its success - and they are now preparing to open a long-term pop-up shop in Festival Place, Basingstoke, after negotiating a lease from September to January with plans to further sell their range of independently crafted goods.

READ MORE: New gift and lifestyle shop ‘Fig and Fox’ opens in Romsey

Hampshire Chronicle: James and Helen MitchellJames and Helen Mitchell (Image: James Mitchell)

Mr Mitchell, from East Wellow, said: “It feels like a wild card choice but we feel there is a space for us in a large-scale commercial setting.

“We are excited to showcase individual, exciting and design-led products to a wide audience. The large footfall allows us to place larger orders with our local suppliers which helps them plan ahead and have a little more financial security.

“We have spent the last few months planning for Christmas and are about to embark on our busiest month of preparations to date. Our studio which is based above the Romsey shop will be working flat out to fulfil the enormous orders for the new outlets. We have a long list of products to create from our own greetings card range to bottled bath salts.”

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Hampshire Chronicle: Fig and Fox stall at BroadlandsFig and Fox stall at Broadlands (Image: Emma-Louise Precious)

The independent business has recently released a range of personalised products that will feature in the new Basingstoke store, with a ‘personalisation station’ for customers to pick a product, add custom text and have it printed ready for collection or delivery the next day.

Customised products include greetings cards, Christmas baubles, notebooks and plant misters. The shop will also have a market area with food and drink from the local area.

A cosmetics table will take centre place alongside a variety of house plants, pots and accessories.

Jewellery, homeware and locally crafted items will be on display and the back wall will be filled with cards and gift bags. All products will be plastic-free and responsibly sourced.

Looking ahead to the festive season, the business couple has also announced a residency at Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market. The Fig and Fox chalet will be packed with cosmetics, personalised baubles and gifts.