A GEM of the Northwich high street has been saved thanks to the dreams of its former owner and a Guardian article.

When Debbie Clowes decided to close Northwich Art Shop after 22 years she hoped a new owner would come forward to keep it open.

Debbie, herself a trained artist, took the difficult decision to change her focus to health, family and her own work following a recent illness and appealed through the Guardian for someone to carry on running the Witton Street shop.

The business closes this week but will reopen on September 25 under the new management of Phil and Darrelle Bower.

Debbie said: "It was a great response from the article in the paper and it was important to me to get the right person that I thought could keep the shop going in the right manner.

"I am over the moon that there will still be an art shop in Northwich.

"I've had an amazing time owning Northwich Art Shop and want to say a massive thank you to all my customers who have become friends over the years.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the future for the shop in new hands."

Phil and Darrelle ran a card shop called Galley One at 14 Market Way about 25 years ago before relocating to Taunton.

They moved back to Northwich in June with son Will, 19, and daughter Tabi, 16.

They were looking for a new opportunity when they read the Guardian article and were keen to get involved in Northwich's creative and trading communities.

"I've always been involved in the creative industries – it's about helping people to unleash their imagination," Phil said.

"The other thing I like about the creative arts is that they're an incredible community and people are sympathetic and supportive of each other's aims and ambitions.

"One of the strengths of Northwich is it's incredible number of independent traders.

"We're almost unique in terms of town centres – I've travelled all over the country and seen a lot of town centres and Northwich is vibrant, Northwich is happening and it's lucky in that a lot of people are investing in it."

He added: "22 years is a long time to be in business and I hope we can do Debbie justice in being able to keep Northwich Art Shop as it was and build it into what it could continue to be."