THE owner of a shop that celebrates all things Welsh believes the opening of a new shop and a move away from Oswestry market shows the strength of love for its culture.

Siop Cwlwm co-owner Lowri Roberts has taken the step to move out of the indoor market to a shop not far away in Bailey Street after 12 years, and celebrated with an special opening on Friday night.

Lowri, who has been a familiar face at the market for more than a decade, says the move is a dream come true and a sign of how more people of all ages are embracing being Welsh.

She said: "I'm extremely proud – I have to pinch myself sometimes.

"We took our time to see if it was sustainable or manageable with the family and all that, and in this economic climate.

"I think the timing is good because there's been a change in attitudes to Wales and the Welsh language.

"It wasn't planned to coincide with the World Cup, the Iran result not withstanding, but after Euro 2016, we saw the positive effect that had on the Welsh language and Welsh culture.

"I used to get teased for being a Welsh speaker when I was younger but that doesn't happen.

"We have children who go to school here in Oswestry coming here to learn Welsh and we've had lots of people wanting to buy the bucket hats from the football.

"We've got one left in the shop and we've sold hundreds of them.

"A lot of them have been sold online but we have sold lots of them here.

"People are proud to be Welsh and as someone who's always been proud to be Welsh, it's fantastic that everyone else has caught up."

Lowri had special thanks to give to Oswestry Town Council for the help it has given her over the years, and they were represented by town mayor Councillor Jay Moore who held the business up as a great example.

He said: "It makes us very proud that a business that started in the market can move into a shop.

"It shows the help and support that entrepreneurs get from us, like Lowri and her team, and for them to be able to expand is fantastic.

"It's brilliant way to show people who start small and can grow.

"Oswestry supports independent shops, especially over Christmas, and the support it gives is part of the town's personality.

"The fact that we can help small businesses grow is great for the town."