Despite the worst economic decline in 300 years, five shops have begun trading. One is Thistle by Nature, a pop-up floral design studio offering a range of Christmas wreaths, floral arrangements, and local arts and crafts with a botanical theme. The shop in Bedford Street is run by Emma Thistlethwaite, who grew up in Wotton-under-Edge and moved to Stroud last year. “I’m quite tucked away here but it’s been lovely welcoming people into my shop,” said Emma, who studied art and design at SGS College. She intended to set up a business for events and weddings but when the pandemic struck she diversified.