A new pottery studio has joined a group of community shops and businesses flourishing once more following months of uncertainty.

Essex Pottery Studio is now part of the team at Greenstead Green Family Barns which has a diverse range of shops and services.

The new business offers customers the chance to decorate and buy a variety of pottery items such as crockery, vases and bowls.

Owner Amanda Reid, who has previously run a similar venture in Writtle, believes the new studio will appeal to variety of different people.

She said: “There is nothing really like this in Colchester or Halstead so I am confident it will be popular.

“We offer lots of different family activities and for people who want to get creative on their own.

“A lot of our stock is made in the shop which is unusual. Only 20 per cent is made away from here.

“It seems like the perfect place and I am very excited now everything is set up and ready to go.”

The studio is in the building which was formerly home to Carousel Pre-Loved, which is owned by Lynette Smith.

Mrs Smith’s business was forced to move into the main barn after the previous farm shop and cafe run there closed.

She said: “When the shop closed, it really left us all in trouble.

“We kept going and the landlord was really supportive. Only one business was forced to leave but the rest of us could easily have done the same too.

“The Post Office wasn’t allowed to stay open because it couldn’t run by itself so I agreed with the landlord to move into the barn to keep them open.”

A new cafe is due to open soon which will help all the businesses.