A fashion trader has become the first to open a shop after coming from a start-up business hub.

Angela Hoskins has fled the nest of Dover's Co-Innovation to open a clothes store for larger women.

Preloved Plus, in the town's Cherry Tree Avenue, begins trading on Thursday, March 12, and has a grand opening two days later.

Mrs Hoskins wants to provide for women of a larger size who, she feels, are not catered for well enough in the fashion trade.

Mrs Hoskins explained: "I am a large lady myself and I get frustrated when I want to go shopping for specific things for special occasions or just any clothes.

"I feel the fashion industry doesn't cater for plus-sized ladies, in fact it seems to work against us quite a lot.

"On a mental health issue it makes people feel quite rubbish about themselves, they are not portrayed in a positive light.

"I though it had got better because you do see some adverts now with plus-sized ladies in them.

"But then, something will happen as if we're taking two steps backs.

"We are ladies and we like clothes. I offer personal service, good advice and my ladies like the fuss. I'm more than happy to provide that because I've been in their position."

Preloved Plus sells second hand clothes for women sized 18 or more.

Alterations for customers' sizes can be made and garments are created from recyclable materials.

The business is aided part-time by dressmaker Bona West.

Mrs Hoskins is from Wimbledon, London.

She moved to Dover in 2015 and now lives in the Tower Hamlets area.

Mrs Hoskins, who turns 51 tomorrow, had previously worked in corporate finance but her health suffered and she sought a new direction in her work.

She explained: "I did 35 years in a corporate office in finance and I didn't want to do that any more but didn't I know what I wanted to do.

"I had a heart attack, lost my father-in-law and our beloved cat all in three to four months."

Mrs Hoskins learned that Co-Innovation was offering spaces for start-up enterprises so took a place when the centre first started, in July 2018.

Preloved Plus gradually developed from there and Mrs Hoskins was aided by the low rent - £1 per sq foot per month.

Her floorspace was 170 sq ft so she only had to pay £170 a month, including utility bills and Wi-Fi.

She said: "I wouldn't have closed my business at Stembrook and taken the risk of opening a proper shop if I didn't think it was worth the risk.

"I've had so much support, I've got a fantastic customer base and there is an absolute need for this sort of service.

"Co-Innovation gave me a nice introduction to starting my own business and I was able to flourish there."

Mrs Hoskins is from Wimbledon, London.

She moved to Dover in 2015 and now lives in the Tower Hamlets area.

Co-Innovation, at Stembrook Lane, replaced the Co-operative store, which closed in February 2017.

It was formally opened last March by Elizabeth McKenna, a contestant in The Apprentice TV series.

The project is a collaboration between Dover Big Local and Dover District Council.

Preloved Plus at Cherry Tree Avenue takes over the premises of Dover Letting Agency, which has moved two doors along.

The clothes store's grand opening is at 2pm on Saturday, March 14.

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