FAMILY run fashion brand Lily & Me is opening its debut store in Stroud this weekend.

The Gloucestershire based business specialises in clothing - dresses, tunics, tops and skirts - created from fabrics inspired by the beauty of nature and the surrounding countryside.

The new shop will be launching at 21 Stroud High Street on Friday and Saturday.

Lily & Me is a family owned firm, employing a team of 18 full time staff, from its warehouse in Hardwicke.

Its garments are stocked in over 450 independent stores in the UK, Ireland and northern Europe.

Director Ben Haywood said: “We are really pleased to be opening our Stroud store.

“Stroud is our hometown and can’t wait to have a presence on its high street.

“We are primarily a wholesale business, so it will be fantastic to finally own our own retail outlet.

“Our clothes are fun and colourful, so we aim to make the store an exciting place to shop.”

Lily & Me was launched in 2007 by founders Amelia Haywood and Hari Bhatta.

Coming from a manufacturing background, Hari and Amelia had spent several years producing clothing for other brands and wanted to start a line of their own.

As a print lover, Amelia knew from the outset that beautifully designed hand drawn prints would be core to the brand.

Hari is originally from Nepal and the pair decided to set up their own factory in Kathmandu in 2000.

Hari said: “Owning our own factory in Nepal we are proud to have full control over working conditions, employment practices and support the education of long-term employees.

“As manufacturing increasingly moves to larger factories overseas, we are delighted we can keep the traditional tailoring skills in Kathmandu.”

In 2012 Amelia and Hari were joined by brother Ben and sister Polly who helped drive the company to where it is today and more recently, Ben’s wife, Jo has joined the business to make it an all family concern.

Lily & Me will be celebrating the opening of their store with a range of special offers and promotions. The first 10 customers on Friday and Saturday will win a special goodie bag.