Husband and wife team, Pearl and John Celino, are thrilled that their decision to move La Cucina to new premises in Newent has been such a good move for them.

The move from Court Street to Broad Street has led to huge expansion in business. Pearl told The Gazette: "Business has tripled since the move." She said the move has been great for them but she thinks "the whole town is on the up." She told the Gazette that there is a real air of optimism about the town. "It is really on the up, with many of the empty shops being opened up," she said.

La Cucina is Italian for the kitchen and the shop sells specialist cookware and everything you could want or need to help turn out delicious and exciting dishes.

Herbs, cookery books, beautiful china, as well as lots of cake decorating items. There will soon be a display of cake stands for weddings and beautiful Jamie Oliver Worcester China.

Pearl hopes to become an outlet for a range of colourful Italian cookware, olives and olive oils.

The move to larger premises means they can display a lot more stock. Pearl told the Gazette that she is constantly looking for something new and is always keen to listen to what people want to see in the shop. She has worked in retail and catering since she was 15 years old and with more than 40 years experience she can give lots of helpful advice to her customers.

The Celino's still have the lease on their previous premises and hope to re-open that later in the year.

Pearl wants customers to tell her what they would like to see in the shop as both she and her husband hate to see empty shop premises.

She is full of enthusiasm and optimism for the future. She told the Gazette that there is a real 'feel good' factor in the town. "Things are really happening in Newent now, she said, "they might not be happening as quickly as we would all like, but they are happening."