A local shop selling affordable women's clothing in Dawlish is celebrating its third anniversary.

Chic & Sassy Boutique opened on the Strand three years ago in May 2019, and is still going strong despite the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Owner Julie Lister, who moved down from Sheffield to open the shop, said that it's the people of Dawlish who 'made the difference' with their support, not just for her, but also the whole town during the pandemic.

Speaking about when she first arrived, she said: "I made friends with people instantly.

"Everybody was so nice - not just the business community but outside of that, and there's so much going on here that I felt at home really quickly, considering I'd moved here all on my own away from where I'd lived for 28 years."

Despite never having run a shop before, Julie decided to take a leap of faith with Chic & Sassy Boutique.

She continued: "It was an opportunity to move and change my life. The shop came up, it was by the sea, which is where I'd always wanted to move to.

"It's definitely been a steep learning curve. But I love it, it's one of those things that I just fell into it and realised it's what I love doing.

Inside Chic & Sassy Boutique (Nub News, Will Goddard)

"I started off with handbags, accessories and then just developed from there, now into fashion.

"I think I'm almost where the shop should be, I've learnt along the way what I want."

The shop is named Chic & Sassy because that's the kind of woman Julie wants to help style with her products. Fashionable Parisian chic, together with a splash of colour and 'a bit of edge'.

She explained: "My vision for opening the shop was a shop that I would want to go in … to support women like me, who sometimes don't have enough confidence. 

"That is really important to me, that I give my customers the confidence to wear things, but by wearing things they feel good in, it gives them confidence in their life.

"I will pick different pieces from different places to complement everything else. It's the same with the accessories, once I put together a spring or autumn range, I'll find handbags that match with it, jewellery that matches, and scarves and belts. It's part of the whole ... outfit. 

"Part of my philosophy is ... that fashion should be affordable, you shouldn't have to pay a fortune for it." 

Chic & Sassy Boutique is currently open 10am-4.30pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am-4pm on Saturday, and Sundays 11am-3pm.

You can find the shop on the Strand in Dawlish or here on Google Maps.

Click here to visit the shop's Facebook page.