Wells now has a baby shop and toy exchange, with a focus on sustainability.

Bronwyn's Baby opened in the old Thomas Cook store last weekend (October 22).

And owner Kim Fentiman is hoping that families in Wells will see it not just as a shop but as a safe space for local families.

Kim said: "Families in Wells have been crying out for a baby shop for a long time. I moved back to the area with my young family and realised I couldn't find the baby and family related services I needed myself. I trained as a Babywearing consultant and started looking for suitable properties in Wells last summer. A year later we finally got the keys to No. 8 and the renovation could begin. 

"The name Bronwyn's Baby is a tribute to my Nan, Bronwyn. She passed away a week or so before my middle son was born. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was a proud Nan. It felt fitting to name this venture after her. 

"Bronwyn's Baby has sustainability at its core and because of this our shop is not your average baby shop. All our new items are organic or made from sustainable, eco-friendly materials.

"We also hire out slings, baby carriers, ear defenders and reusable nappy kits for families to borrow instead of buying, for as little as £5 a week.

"We also have a preloved section, selling second-hand but organic and eco-friendly clothing and accessories to encourage a sustainable, circular economy.

"Our final section in our shop space is the toy exchange, encouraging families and their children to bring in a wooden toy to swap with a toy already on the shelves. No money is exchanged for this, it is purely a toy swap, helping families survive the cost of living crisis whilst allowing children to have 'new to them' toys too, at no cost to their parents.

"What makes Bronwyn's Baby different to any other independent baby shop is our lounge space and our upstairs snug space. We have a small lounge area downstairs with a changing station and a couple of armchairs for a parent to stop and feed or console their baby. This also doubles up as a consultation and workshop area for babywearing consultations, for those wanting to learn the benefits and techniques for carrying babies, toddlers and big kids alike. "Upstairs is the Snug which is a space for baby and family support groups. As we enjoy welcoming customers on our first week of opening, we are looking forward to meeting and serving more of our local families as we become a permanent addition to the busy Wells High Street."