TWO decades ago Wickwar was a thriving community with about 15 shops along its main street. Now the number of shops has dwindled - as is the case with so many villages throughout the land. But one businesswoman is planning to buck the trend and has opened a new venture in the village. Gazette feature writer KIRSTY RAMSDEN spoke to Shaz Brown about her business.

WHEN Wickwar Tea Rooms opened its doors for the first time earlier this autumn there was just a hint of its previous life.

In years gone by the building, which now houses the traditional-style tea shop, was a butcher's and slaughterhouse.

The building retains some original features including the butcher's bar and slab.

This is rather ironic as the owner of Wickwar Tea Rooms, Shaz Brown, is a vegetarian.

However she loves all things traditional and was keen to keep some of the building's originality. The building also retains its historic shop front.

The building ceased to be a butcher's in the 1980s. It had a brief spell as an antique shop but otherwise remained derelict until Ms Brown took over.

Although she called in the professionals for the building work, she completed much of the renovation herself to ensure it was just as she wanted.

She said: "I've put my heart and soul into it."

She had always loved cooking and had worked in the food industry so, as her teenaged children gained their independence, she embarked on the venture.

Traditional foods such as beef and ale pie and stews are on the menu - all home-made of course.

But she does include many modern touches and there is a definite Italian influence - Ms Brown's mother hails from Italy.

Traditional lasagne and other Italian style dishes are on the menu created from her mother's recipes.

As Ms Brown is a vegetarian, the menu gives more than a nod to the diner who does not eat meat.

Each meat dish has a vegetarian alternative.

Ms Brown feels her business should be customer-lead so she can supply what they want.

She even intends to install a suggestion box to gauge customer opinion.

Even though the tea rooms has only been open for several months it has already attracted regulars.

And its customers span the age range spectrum.

On Friday mornings members of the village mother and toddler group come in for a well-earned treat.

After school parents bring in their children to beat the hunger pangs.

The village's older residents have also become keen patrons.

The tea room has become a stop-off point for day trippers and tourists.

Even some villagers initially concerned about the planning application for a food outlet have become clients.

Although Ms Brown has been a Wickwar resident for 12 years she is meeting some villagers for the first time.

Ms Brown is keen to use local produce - so local in fact many of the vegetables she uses come from her parents' garden and the jams are home-made by her mother.

She uses free range eggs and an aim is to use more and more organic produce.

As well as devoting much of her own time to the tea rooms, Ms Brown employs one full-time and one part-time member of staff.

Pictured: Kelly Horseman and Shaz Brown in the new Wickwar Tea Rooms GSR899H02