New traders look set to give the town a fresh lease of life with businesses including an antiques shop, second-hand clothing, vintage gifts, hand-made jewellery, decorating products, alternative medicine, organic food and coffee and a hairdressers springing up across Wirksworth.

Mayor Cllr Mike Ratcliffe said: "We have people coming in to the town saying we thought there was a recession on but obviously not in Wirksworth.

"The owners of the shop premises have been very generous to allow modest rents which is far better than having empty buildings.

"It is helping the vitality of the town, which is great."
Town councillor and Rotary Club member David Haspel added: "Wirksworth has had ten new traders in the last three to four months.

"The town seems to be moving away from when it was a farmers' town.

"This could be the start of a new life as a bit more of a tourist centre."

Harriet Miller opened her jewellery shop, Harriets, on St Johns Street, just over three weeks ago.

Harriet, who grew up in Birchover, but will be moving to the town, said: "It is something I had always wanted to do.

"It is the right kind of place for me to open the shop as there are lots of artistic things going on, so hopefully I will fit in quite nicely."

John Whittacker, who runs decorating shop Spring Villa Home Improvement, moved back in to the town around three months ago.
He said: "Since we have moved back here it seems to have quite taken
off.

"We were born and bred in Wirksworth and think it's a great place and there is all sorts here now."

Mike Blair, owner of Peli Deli, in Matlock, has also expanded his delicatessen and coffee shop to Wirksworth.

The shop sells a range of fresh, organic, fairtrade and local produce.

Other new businesses include Totley Antiques, Peak Practice alternative medicines, Vintage Rooms 1920 and 1930s second hand goods, Wirksworth Framing, Country Kitchen, Kelsey's second hand clothes and Wild One Hairdresser.