AN Urmston businesswoman who was forced to close her shop on the fourth anniversary of its opening has bounced back with a brand new venture.

Denise Patton, who started Crown of Wild Olive, has just opened The Blue Sage Gallery with her partner, Brian Newman.

The shop specialises in trendy garden fixtures and furniture, some of which has been designed and made by the couple who run it.

Denise says the former business, which specialised in art produced by local artists, struggled to survive as a gallery.

It later became an interiors shop only for the market to be 'flooded' by the competition.

Denise told SUM: "We tried to think of something that we could compete with and basically, by making our own products, we can retain that individuality. If we do get copied ultimately then we just move on and make something different."

The Blue Sage opened its doors three weeks ago and its name comes from a plant. Denise hopes her return to trading will inspire other small business people to conquer the hard times.

"You've got to have determination - you can come through it. Even when your world's caving in and you've got debts left right and centre. You do need to stay one step ahead."

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