A PAIR of business owners have teamed up to launch a campaign to celebrate small shops and encourage trade.

Sedgefield card creator at All About Words, Catherine Lines, and Betty’s Boudoir boutique owner, Lily Grundy, have joined forces to spread Christmas sparkle and promote the ‘shop local’ message.

All About Words was set up by Mrs Lines just over a year ago, and the business now has a successful Etsy store stocking personalised greetings cards and word-based framed pictures.

Betty’s Boudoir, situated in the heart of Sedgefield, has also been established for just over a year and stocks fashion, accessories and quirky gifts, all hand-picked by Miss Grundy and her mother.

The two business owners have decided to work together in a bid to make the town more prosperous.

Recognising their shared interests Miss Grundy agreed to stock three Christmas card designs within Betty’s Boutique.

Meanwhile, Mrs Lines has created a business Christmas card and a gift card design for the boutique, which will also be a collection point for people picking up All About Words orders in the run up to Christmas.

Miss Grundy said: “Before I took over the store it used to be a card shop, so people still come in asking for them. After meeting with Catherine, it made sense to stock a selection of cards in the run up to Christmas as the demand was already there. For the past year, customers have had the choice to collect their All About Words orders they from Betty’s Boutique which is great as it brings more customers in to see our latest range of fashions, accessories and gifts. It’s a partnership that’s working really well for both of us.”

Mrs Lines added: “As two female business owners based in the same town, it made perfect sense for Lily and I to join forces.

"We’re both passionate about promoting local enterprise and it’s great to team up and support each other, especially as our products work so well together.

“We hope that people in Sedgefield and further afield will buy locally in the lead up to Christmas, both from us and the other great independent businesses across the area.”

The pair will be working together at events in the build up to Christmas, including a fashion show at Sedgefield Parish Hall on Tuesday, December 3, that will raise money for rangers and guides groups in the town.