BRAINTREE town centre is on the rise after five entrepreneurs decided to set up shop there.

Three clothes boutiques, an electronic cigarette store and a candle and gifts shop have either opened or are set to open this summer.

Mum-of four Stacey Finney, 33, is set to open women’s clothes shop Labeltique in Gantway House on the High Street on August 15.

Her friend and business partner Sam Hunt, 45, will also be running Crimson Beauty parlour on the same premises.

Also on the High Street is Charlie Charalambous, 41, who has opened electronic cigarette store Vapours, opposite the Boars Head pub.

Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence has partnered with Sammi Bond, 24, and Arron Bresling, 26, to open retro clothes boutique Sammibees above the High Street Barbers Shop.

On Fairfield Road, Steve Street has opened Aura Candles and Gifts in Fairfield Road with jewellery maker Kirsty Reeve.

The pair are based next door to designer clothes shop Clobber, which is due to open later this month. 

See this week's Braintree Times for the full story.