Popular Honiton craft shop to close its doors for the final time on Friday

Devastated shop owner Carla Salisbury has been given just a week's notice to pack her bags and shut up her shop in Honiton Town Centre.

Mrs Salisbury, 65, has run Pavot, on Northcote Lane, for almost three years. Her landlord has asked for the premises back, which means the shop is set to close this Friday (April 8.)

Mrs Salisbury lives on Willow Walk with her husband and son and she is a familiar face to many people in Honiton.

The shop owner was born in London and she grew up in Feniton, but she has lived in Honiton for 35 years.

She worked in Honiton's Boots when she was 15. Mrs Salisbury spent the next few decades working in local shops and Pavot is the first shop she has run herself.

Mrs Salisbury told Nub News: "Sadly I've been asked to vacate my shop on Friday. It's been quite a blow.

"I feel very sad and overwhelmed. I've got to know many people through the shop, and I shall miss everybody. I'm devastated by what's happened."

The name Pavot was chosen because it is French for poppy, and Mrs Sailsbury loves all things French. The shop sells ceramics from Uplyme, knitwear which Mrs Sailsbury makes herself and pottery from Colyton, as well as a range of other locally made items including cards, candles and paintings.

Everything in the shop is locally produced and a lot of the products have a fascinating history. For example, the lamp bases which are on sale come from reclaimed wood salvaged from Plymouth dockyard.

Mrs Salisbury is packing up her shop and selling as much stock as she can.

Some local producers who sell their goods to Pavot have bought back their products and two of Honiton's other shops, Gertie and Bertie and 4 u From Me, have agreed to take some of Pavot's stock, including the pottery and knitwear.

Friends and family are also helping Mrs Salisbury to clear the shop, but she might be forced to put some items into storage if they don't sell before Friday.

All fixtures and fittings need to be removed as well, and Mrs Salisbury is hoping people will buy items such as the fireplace, large display cabinets, tables and sofa.

Mrs Salisbury told Nub News how much she has enjoyed running the shop over the past three years. "I love meeting people and helping others. I've supported lots of people by selling their produce, especially through the lockdowns.

"People come into the shop expecting to see me, they're always pleased to come and say hello! Many people come in and say hello every time they are nearby on their holiday.

"Honiton is a buzzing town with lots of independent shops. We've got all the banks here, and the market, which makes it very busy. It's a lovely place to live.

"I'll be very sad to close my shop, especially after I've been so well supported by the community in Honiton."

Mrs Salisbury is considering moving her shop to a new location if she could find somewhere affordable to rent. She is not quite ready to retire!

You can read about Pavot here.