Right in the heart of Cirencester is a pretty little courtyard which is packed full of independent shops and businesses.

Dozens of shops are packed into the bustling Woolmarket, and the close-knit community of businesses say that the area is more like a street full of family, than the soulless precincts that blight so many of our town centres these days.

Paul Hinsley, who celebrates 10 years at Cafe Mosaic with his wife Lesley this year explained a little more.

“We love running the cafe at the heart of the Woolmarket,” Paul explained.

“There’s a real sense of community here, with both shop owners and customers.

“There are people that visit us every day, to sit and watch shoppers going about their business - we’re delighted to be celebrating our 10th birthday with our friends here in July.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Yvonne Holmes who runs Chickadee, a shop packed full of children’s clothing and gifts.

“We’ve been here for just over five years,” Yvonne told The Standard.

“Our customers say that they love visiting the shop because we offer something really unique - my husband and I have made a pledge to only sell things we really love.”

That seems to be a running theme throughout this popular little shopping street, Yvonne sent our reporter down to see Crocodile another toy shop - which many would see as direct competition to her.

“Oh good grief no,” Yvonne replied when I suggested that the shop might steal her customers.

“We know that our customers will often travel for hours just to come and spend the day here. We complement each other.”

Enjoying a sunny Saturday our reporter joined the hundreds of shoppers enjoying the convenience of a contained shopping area right in the heart of bustling Cirencester.

After half an hour admiring the toys and games on offer in Crocodile, our reporter had to use every iota of willpower to prevent herself from buying everything from Ava and Iva Vintage Clothing and Records.

Dawn Baynes of Happy Hounds explained that customers drop their dogs off with her, before having their own hair done, enjoying lunch or a snack and browsing the rest of the shops in the courtyard.

“People travel from as far as Oxford to come and see us all,” Dawn said. “It’s the perfect place to treat yourself.”